保罗以首尾呼应的方式，来结束这封书信。他一言以蔽之地说：「十字架，唯独十字架是最重要。」在他看来，无论在任何时间，以致于永恒，十字架都是最重要和最荣耀的道理。

那些攻击他的人，那些在加拉太教会制造纷争的人，都想把割礼和旧约律法奉为首要的核心。保罗却指出它们只是表面的标记，只有十字架（福音）才能对应人的内心。

今天有太多人强调表面的标记，例如婴儿洗礼，甚或教会聚会的出席率。我们当然需要出席教会聚会，但最首要的，还是我们要先接受基督。单单参与教会聚会，是不能确保人得着救恩的。

十字架表明我们每个人都是罪人，都无力拯救自己。然而，人却最不喜欢听见这个信息，因为它触及人的自尊心，要人承认自己是个无力自救的罪人。因此，愿意接受十字架真理的人，便会发现自己与世不合，并反潮流而行。

保罗知道这是一个痛苦的经历，因为世人不单会背弃他，还会憎恨他和攻击他。但他认为十字架和基督对他更加重要──甚至是他的一切；所以，他才能够说出「活着就是基督」这句话。我们能够说出这句话吗？

古旧十架

各各他山岭上，矗立古旧十架，是羞辱与痛苦记号；

神爱子主耶稣，为我们被钉死，这十架是我最爱最宝。

故我爱高举主十字架，愿将世上虚荣全放下，

我一生要背负十字架，到那天可换公义冠冕。

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.