Changed

Gal. 1-6

Sometimes it is helpful to read an entire book like Galatians in one sitting. In fact this is the only way to get the message in context. Then it also helps if we understand the times, customs, area and to whom it was sent. Paul wrote this letter to the Galatians because someone had come in there and confused them about living by faith and not by works. Life eternal is all about what Christ has done inside our heart and not what we can do to accomplish the same thing or even maintain this great work of salvation.


A circumcision on the heart took place. Not on the flesh, on the heart and it is permanent. The ways of the flesh will not satisfy us any longer because of this change. Circumcision is a permanent cutting away of the flesh. In the spirit it is a permanent cutting away of flesh ways inside the heart and this procedure was preformed by Christ when we invited him into our heart. We do not do this. He does this for us. Salvation is a package deal.


When we invited Christ into our life, He changed us immediately. He circumcised the heart. We become a new creation on the spot. Old desires changed to new desire inside. We will never be the same again. Granted we do not always walk in this new life (walk in the spirit). Sometimes our soul remembers how good the flesh felt and we respond. But have you ever noticed how when that old flesh experience takes place again it can no longer satisfy us in the same way? We are who we are, new creations in Christ.

• What was cut away? The flesh.
• What is the flesh? The old sinful way of living for self.
• What is this new creation? Christ living inside the heart.
• What is circumcision? Cutting away the flesh
• What is changed? The core of our being.
• What passed away? The old man is dead.
• Who did this for us? Christ did all the work.
• Who is a new creation? We are that new creation.

The world at large does not know that it is in search of this circumcision. The world, out of hunger for this circumcision, grabs, steals, kills, destroys as it searches for riches and fame, youth and beauty. Why? The heart is hungry. The heart is in search of God. When He takes up residence, the fruits of His Spirit meet the real need which is to be loved, valued and acceptanced. The fruits of the Spirit, Love, Joy, Peace, Patience , Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, Faithfulness, Self-control meet the need.

To those of you who know Him, let me get to the point. We have all we need through the Spirit of Christ who lives in us. When we harm others we harm ourselves (as we devour another we become devoured) because as new creations we are no longer of the flesh. When we walk in the flesh, flesh happens. When we walk in the Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit lives in us. How do we walk in the Spirit? Teach Me, Lord covers that in detail. Simply said, Christ lives through us. We surrender our lives to Him daily.

In a movie years ago, a man was wrongly accused and sent to prison. When he returned home, he was different. His wife asked what they did to him in prison that cause him such continued torment. His answer? "It's not what they did to me, it's what I had to do to survive"( he murdered a man.)

What causes a Christian torment? It is not what others do to us that cause torment. It is what we do to others. It is what happens to us when we walk in the flesh. We are new creations with changed hearts. To live out of character will bring torment.

Lord help us to respond to your spirit every day and enjoy the fruits of Your life in us.