Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially those who belong to the family of believers. See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand! Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. (Galatians 6:10-12)
In my younger years, I held several jobs. One was a secretary for project managers. I transcribed their spoken letters in shorthand. When I attended the University of Florida, personal computers hadn’t been invented, so I wrote my lecture notes. Then as a physical therapist in the 1980s and 90s, I handwrote my patient notes.
My handwriting was poor. Sometimes I guessed what my bosses dictated or asked a friend to look at their lecture notes. When penning, I wrote large, so my letters were somewhat legible.
Paul sandwiched his comment that he used large letters in the middle of this awkward paragraph between two sentences that identify the letter’s main themes—that Christians should do good works and that they should not obey unnecessary religious rules.
I can imagine Paul spending hours sharpening a reed, making his own ink, and writing slowly and largely to send the Galatians this urgent message in his own poor handwriting. He sends the message that acts of love prevent us from impressing people by means of the flesh and lead us to do good to all people.
Father, I praise you for Paul’s message. Help me love, not impress. Give me someone to assist today and let me point them to Jesus. Keep my family and friends safe today and bind them closer to you. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
God does not want us to impress but be humble in our personal nature and love. The braggart and egotistical are not busy doing good for God, they are busy doing good for themselves. They lift themselves up and in the process hurt others. Sometimes in their quest to feel good about themselves, they feel it is OK to belittle someone and be one step higher on the ladder. God only cares about what kind of heart we have. I am asking God to help me be humble in all circumstances. Hope that all is well with you and your family. I have missed devotions the last month. We both have busy lives and it isn’t always easy to squeeze everything we need to do into one day. I continued to pray for both of our families.