Galatians 5 — Liberty in Christ
Introduction: Paul had established in chapter two that circumcision is not required for salvation in Christ. In chapter three he demonstrated that faith came before the law. In chapter four he prepared a foundation about the freedom that Jews and Gentiles have in Christ that cannot be provided by trying to keep the law. In this chapter five he again specifically addresses circumcision because this is a key issue that could nullify liberty in Christ.
NOTE: Scripture passages are from the Revised Webster Bible.
A — Stand Fast in the Liberty of Christ
Galatians 5 “1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty with which Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. 2 Behold, I Paul say to you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. 3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4 Christ is become of no effect to you, whoever of you are justified by the law; ye have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love… 9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be not otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whoever he may be.”
Comments: Paul wanted the Galatians to realize that they had liberty in Christ and did not need to be circumcised as a means of being accepted by God because they had already received their righteousness by faith. Circumcision was a distinction for the Jews, and Paul did not preach circumcision for Gentiles — which is why he was persecuted by the Jews. The cross was an offense to the Jews because it opened salvation to Gentiles. Paul urged the Galatians to hold fast to their faith. Circumcision began with Abraham and all of his family, but many of Jacob’s descendants who had circumcision in the flesh had hearts hardened toward the Lord. Deuteronomy 10:16 “Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.” Romans 4:11–13 confirms that the promise of Abraham being “heir of the world” came not through the law but through the righteousness of faith. Colossians 2:11–12 describes the circumcision “made without hands” in Christ, being buried and risen with him through faith.
B — By Love, Serve One Another
Galatians 5 “13 For, brethren, ye have been called to liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one by another. 16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under the law.”
Comments: Paul next directed the attention of the Galatians to be cautious not to use liberty in Christ to fulfill any lust of the flesh, but rather to serve others in love. Paul used the words of Christ to summarize the spirit of the law by saying that as Christians we must love our neighbor as our self (Matthew 22:37–40). Acts of tearing one another down will result in all being devoured. It is far better to walk in the Spirit because that will give victory over fulfilling the lust of the flesh. The desires we have as the natural man in the world work within us in opposition to the desires that come from the Spirit of God. If we are led by the Spirit, we are not under the law, since we have liberty in Christ.
C — The Works of the Flesh and the Fruit of the Spirit
Galatians 5 “19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, 20 Idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousy, wrath, contention, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, self-control: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.”
Comments: Paul began a more dramatic detail of contrasting characteristics of the motivations and actions of those guided completely by fleshly desires, and of those guided by following the Spirit of God. Paul’s list for fleshly desires apply to those who consider their own desires in the present with no regard for harm they may cause for others — and Paul said they who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Those who live by the Spirit put God and others ahead of their own needs as a pattern in their lives, with immeasurable rewards in this life and in the life to come. This fruit draws productive nourishment from the root that is the Spirit of God. Paul wrote to the Ephesians: “Grieve not the Holy Spirit… Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:30–32).
Reflections in Prayer
Lord, may I take to heart Paul’s message to stand fast in the liberty of Christ, and not allow any temptation to try to merit salvation through my own achievements. By faith alone have I obtained the righteousness of Christ. This gives me liberty from the law that I could never keep perfectly. Help me to remember that liberty from the requirements of the law does not free me from the obligations of displaying love for you and for others around me. I want to honor you Lord by loving my neighbor as myself. Help me Lord to discard the affections and lusts that are the works of the flesh, and to actively seek to bear the fruit of the Spirit. I want to live in the Spirit and to walk humbly in the Spirit. Keep me from all vain glory for myself that I may magnify the name of the Lord. Amen.
Published 4 January 2013