If we are to live a life that is pleasing unto God, it is imperative that we understand the lifestyle of living fruitful.
This week we are going to take the time to read over Galatians 5, so that we can understand what the Word of God says about living this life.
Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.
You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 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.
And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased. I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off!
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. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 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. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 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.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Paul is talking to us about the law. He is telling us that some people use the law as a way to justify their actions. However the law is not made to measure the actions of man, instead it made to identify sin in the life of man. When the law is inacted in the proper manner, with the right intentions, it can fufill it’s purpose, but laws are establish with the wrong intent, they can lead many astray.
As Christians, we are to follow the law of the land, but more so, we are to follow the will, heart, and Word of God. We have been set free by Christ and as much of a blessing as that is, some put themselves back in bondage by living according to the flesh.
This week, let’s contemplate what this chapter is saying about the way we should live.
We can ask questions like…
- What does it mean to have liberty in Christ?
- What role does the law of the land play in my life and how does it affect the choices I make as a Christian?
- What does it mean to walk in the flesh?
- What actions are considered those of a fleshly lifestyle?
- What does it mean to walk in the Spirit?
- What are the traits/characteristics of an individual that is walking in the Spirit?
- Where do I stand and how am I walking?
- What changes can I make?
- Am I willing to ask God for help?
- Do I clearly understand the Christian lifestyle?
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