One Year Journey Through the New Testament
Galatians 5
Welcome to our journey through the New Testament!
Christian Liberty
1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.
(Galatians 5:1–6, NKJV)
Points to Ponder:
- After discussing the bondage of the law, and the danger of returning to the law, Paul then encouraged the Christians in Galatia to stand in their liberty. He urged them not to submit to that yoke of bondage.
- Paul reiterated his warning of the last few chapters that submitting to circumcision opened one up to the scrutiny of the entire law! He summarizes by saying that only those who have faith in God and His love are saved.
Love Fulfills the Law
7 You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is.
11 And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased. 12 I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off!
13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!
(Galatians 5:7–15, NKJV)
Points to Ponder:
- Paul asked the oft-quoted question: “Who hindered you?“ and then he warned them of the leaven of false teaching. It does not take much to ruin a church.
- Paul expressed judgment on those who would try to lead the disciples in Galatia astray. He even goes so far as to use the circumcision language against them, hoping that they cut themselves off.
- He called them once more to liberty, not as an opportunity for fleshly living, but rather to serve one another. He reminded them of the words of Christ, to love one another as oneself.
Walking in the Spirit
16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
(Galatians 5:16–26, NKJV)
Points to Ponder:
- Paul taught them this principle: “Walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.“ He spoke of the ware between flesh and spirit, and the need to stay aware of that battle. The
Spirit does not lead one back under the bondage of the law. - Paul listed the works of the flesh:
- Adultery
- Fornication
- Uncleanness
- Lewdness
- Idolatry
- Sorcery
- Hatred
- Contentions
- Jealousies
- Outbursts of Wrath
- Selfish Ambitions
- Dissensions
- Heresies
- Envy
- Murder
- Drunkenness
- Revelries
- Practicing these will keep you out of heaven!
- Paul then described the fruit of the Spirit
- Love
- Joy
- Peace
- Longsuffering
- Kindness
- Goodness
- Faithfulness
- Gentleness
- Self-Control
- Live in the Spirit
- Walk in the Spirit
- There is no law against living right!
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All Scriptures from New King James Version unless otherwise noted.
Join us this afternoon at 5:00 pm for a discussion of this chapter live online. Live@5 with Dr. Greg Sloop can be found on Facebook on the Dr. Greg Sloop page or on the Kannapolis Church of God Facebook page or Youtube page. Another blog will be posted each weekday at 6:00 a.m.
Devoted To You 