The Power of the Believer’s Conviction – Galatians 6:17-18

From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen. Gal 6:17-18

 

History is made by men of conviction. Whether for good or for evil, men full of conviction pioneered nations through revolutions, wars, scientific and medical breakthroughs, and every other significant event that has shaped the world into what it is today. Scripture is likewise penned by and written of men of conviction. The Apostle Paul was one of them, fully convinced upon his conversion that Jesus was the Son of God. He was resolute to preach nothing but Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. (1Cor 2:2) He wrote his letter to the Galatians to dispel false notions that circumcision and the works of the law were means for salvation. Apostle Paul gloried only in the gospel that made him a new creation, and like him, every Christian must be a man of conviction to stand firm in faith through all circumstances. Where did Paul’s conviction come from? His final remarks here in Galatians reveal the external and internal sources of the apostle’s fervent conviction.

Marks of Christ (v.17) Paul was not merely a spectator of faith, but a man of action, empowered by the Holy Spirit. The brand-marks of Jesus referred to in v.17 are his actual physical scars sustained by the continual persecution he endured for preaching the gospel. (2Cor 11:23-25; Acts 14:9) Apostle Paul was severely beaten numerous times and was even stoned to the point of near death. His body was badly scarred, but rather than feeling bitterness and sorrow, his scars strengthened his conviction. How can this be? Paul was persecuted for the message he delivered. His message was the cross of Christ. Paul believed and preached that no sin could be done away by circumcision or good works; it can only be carried away by the cross of Christ. (1Cor 1:23, 2:2) The gospel is the only perfect message that can save and transform man. It is the powerful message that divides men, inciting joy or hate, victory or torment, hope or ridicule. For all who desire to be a man or woman of conviction, check to make sure the message you believe and proclaim is the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Another source of Paul’s conviction is that he considered his scars the brand-marks of Jesus Christ. Everything Paul did was related to Jesus Christ, his Savior and Lord. The Bible says none are righteous but Christ alone. All of us fall short of God’s glory; even our best works are filthy rags before God’s holiness. (Is 64:6) We would all be condemned to go to hell, but Jesus came as a sinless man to die on the cross in our place. He rose again from the dead, imputing us with His life and righteousness, to reconcile us to God. In Christ, you are forgiven of your sin, clothed with His righteousness, and adopted as a child of God. (Rom 3:22) Jesus Christ is the only One worth being persecuted for, and Paul bore his scars with this full conviction. How do we bear the brand-marks of Jesus that would strengthen conviction? Paul simply applied God’s Word to every part of his life. As we live in a world that is held captive by Satan, through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. (Acts 14:22) If you seek God’s kingdom and righteousness first, treasuring Christ above all else, persecution is inevitable, but it will only strengthen your conviction. (Matt 6:33; 2Tim 3:12) We must live as disciples, surrendering all to Jesus and following Him. Without conviction, we cannot fight the good fight of faith.

The grace of Christ (v.18) The grace of Jesus Christ was the internal source of Paul’s conviction. Grace is God’s unmerited favor shown to guilty sinners. Man makes no contribution to his salvation- salvation is by God alone. Our spirits were dead, separated from God and under the bondage of Satan, but by God’s grace He regenerated us to have living faith in Jesus Christ. We are not only forgiven, but we are reconciled to God and adopted as His child. God is gracious and merciful- like the prodigal son’s loving father, God is quick to pour grace and mercy upon repentant sinners who return to Him. (Luke 15:21-23) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is not merely a line Paul used to end his letters, but it is the very lifeline for Paul and for every Christian. Without grace, Paul would have remained Saul, but by the grace of Jesus Christ, Apostle Paul gave his life to preach the gospel that saved him. (Acts 26:29) Without grace, we would have remained in our sin, separated from God, hopeless and condemned. But by the grace of Jesus Christ, we are loved by God, saved, and set apart to follow Him. This is the source of a believer’s conviction- the unending grace of God, found in the gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.