保羅以首尾呼應的方式，來結束這封書信。他一言以蔽之地說：「十字架，唯獨十字架是最重要。」在他看來，無論在任何時間，以致於永恆，十字架都是最重要和最榮耀的道理。

那些攻擊他的人，那些在加拉太教會製造紛爭的人，都想把割禮和舊約律法奉為首要的核心。保羅卻指出它們只是表面的標記，只有十字架（福音）才能對應人的內心。

今天有太多人強調表面的標記，例如嬰兒洗禮，甚或教會聚會的出席率。我們當然需要出席教會聚會，但最首要的，還是我們要先接受基督。單單參與教會聚會，是不能確保人得著救恩的。

十字架表明我們每個人都是罪人，都無力拯救自己。然而，人卻最不喜歡聽見這個信息，因為它觸及人的自尊心，要人承認自己是個無力自救的罪人。因此，願意接受十字架真理的人，便會發現自己與世不合，並反潮流而行。

保羅知道這是一個痛苦的經歷，因為世人不單會背棄他，還會憎恨他和攻擊他。但他認為十字架和基督對他更加重要──甚至是他的一切；所以，他才能夠說出「活著就是基督」這句話。我們能夠說出這句話嗎？

古舊十架

各各他山嶺上，矗立古舊十架，是羞辱與痛苦記號；

神愛子主耶穌，為我們被釘死，這十架是我最愛最寶。

故我愛高舉主十字架，願將世上虛榮全放下，

我一生要背負十字架，到那天可換公義冠冕。

Paul finished this epistle right where he began. He covered the whole argument of this epistle in one sweeping statement: 'It is the cross and the cross alone that counts.' To him the cross was central and gloriously sufficient for time and eternity.

Those opposing him, those who had disrupted the church in Galatia, were trying to make circumcision and the Old Testament law of central importance. Paul said these are only outward signs. The Cross (the Gospel) deals with the heart.

Too many people today put great emphasis on outward evidences, such as infant baptism or even church attendance. We ought to attend our local church, but only because we have first accepted Christ. Church attendance is no guarantee of salvation.

The Cross says man is a sinner and cannot save himself. Men don't like that. That touches his pride. But if he does accept it, the world turns its back on him - all because of the cross.

Paul knew that in sad experience. The world did more than turn its back - it hated Paul and persecuted him. But to him the cross and Christ meant much more. In fact the cross and Christ meant everything. He was able to say 'To me to live is Christ.' Can we say that today?

The Old Rugged Cross

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,

The emblem of suffering and shame,

And I love that old cross where the dearest and best

For a world of lost sinners was slain.

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,

Till my trophies at last I lay down;

I will cling to the old rugged cross,

And exchange it some day for a crown.