For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. For each one will bear his own load.                                                                                                                

                                                                                                               Galatians 6:3-5 

As we begin to wind down our study of Galatians, Paul reminds us to examine our works. This is not an examination of works for salvation, to do that would be to ignore the theme of Paul’s entire letter (salvation by faith in Jesus alone), but what he is suggesting is that we examine our lives in light of the fact that we have been saved. This can be done by asking yourself one simple question, “Does my life exemplify what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ?” Consider the following:

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 

                                                                                                   2 Corinthians 5:17 

When we are born again, we shed our old lives and take on a new life in Christ. This is illustrated in baptism. As we go beneath the water, we are signifying our old life being buried and coming up out of the water, we demonstrate the spiritual birth of a new life in Jesus, a life that is eternal. So Paul suggests that we do a self-evaluation, checking for the fruit of a life being lived by the Spirit of God. You may be tempted to look at the things you do for God, giving, praying, going to church, studying your Bible, and so forth. Those are all good things, but in light of the fact that, in the previous chapter, Paul outlined the fruit (evidence) of God’s Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), I would begin the examination there.

“Am I a loving person?” “Am I joyful?” Am I at peace with God?” If the answer to all of these questions is “yes”, then you can move on to how you treat others. “Am I patient with people?” “Am I a gentle and kind person when it comes to dealing with others?” You might even want to throw in Jesus teaching on the Law and Prophets, “Do I treat others the way I want to be treated?” (Matthew 7:12) You can then finish your self-examination by reviewing the items in Galatians 5:19-21 (the deeds of the flesh). “Am I practicing any of these things in my daily life or have I rejected the things that do not please God?” One important reminder: Your salvation is not dependent on your works! Salvation is by faith in Jesus. As a believer, if you fall short while examining your life, you have at your disposal the power of the Holy Spirit, who will equip you to make the necessary adjustments because you are a child of God, not in order to become one.

Paul suggests that by examining our lives, we can then boast. This boasting is not in what we have accomplished rather it is a celebration of the evidence that God continues to do a work in our lives. Consider the following: 

Thus says the Lord, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord.

                                                                                                               Jeremiah 9:23-24 

Our boasting should always be in the truth that we understand and know God. The world continues to pursue intellectual wisdom, power, and wealth, but for those inheriting eternal life, we boast in the Lord our God.

One final comment, if you struggle in your Christian life, do not fall into the trap that you must “try harder.” That is a works-related belief and it will do nothing but bring further disappointment and frustration into your life. When you feel like you have failed God, remember, He has not failed you. Your spiritual growth is a matter of trusting Him to mold you into the person He has created you to be. Trust Him, feed on His word, and bring all of your messiness to Him. Then you will be able to examine your life and see that the fruit of the Spirit is indeed yours to enjoy!

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

                                                                                                                 2 Timothy 2:15