Galatians Chapter 5

INTRODUCTION:

We are in the sixth week of our study of Galatians. Paul has been addressing a theological crisis because the churches in Galatia were adding to the gospel of grace based on the influence of false teachers of the time. In the prior chapters Paul spent time differentiating between law and grace as well as slavery and freedom. In today's verses he will continue to exhort us in our freedom in Christ. Paul passionately reminds the Galatians that Christ has set them free, and they are to stand firm in that freedom rather than returning to the yoke of the law. He emphasizes that attempting to be justified by the law nullifies Christ's sacrifice. 

Why would anyone choose slavery over freedom, choose the law over grace? Perhaps we don’t purposefully choose it, perhaps we passively choose it. Hmmm… something to think about.

Let’s dive in!

Galatians 5:1-25

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.

You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from him who calls you.  A little leaven leavens the whole lump.  I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Alright, let's break it down… 

Let’s start with some observations we can make about this chapter…

• Paul starts with a powerful declaration of freedom in Christ and the call to stand firm in it (Galatians 5:1). He emphasizes that returning to the law, particularly circumcision, negates the grace received through Christ (Galatians 5:2-4). 

• We then see Paul taking us back to the topic of circumcision in regard to the added “work” under the law versus the grace of the true Gospel. Paul spells out our choices:  we can choose the freedom that Christ has provided, or we can choose to live under the burdens of the law.   The cost of making the wrong choice is very high. Paul stresses that in Christ, it is not about the works of circumcision—what counts is faith working through love (Galatians 5:6). True faith expresses itself through love, rather than through strict adherence to the law. Faith alone is what secures our salvation.

• Paul warns again against the influence of false teachers who are trying to lead the Galatians back to legalistic practices (Galatians 5:7-12). He uses strong language to convey the severity of departing from the gospel of grace.

• He contrasts living by the Spirit vs gratifying the desires of the flesh, highlighting an ongoing internal struggle (Galatians 5:16-23). 

• Believers are encouraged to crucify the flesh with its passions and desires, signifying a decisive break from sinful behaviors (Galatians 5:24)

• Paul concludes by urging believers to live by the Spirit and to keep in step with Him, fostering unity and humility and avoiding a fleshy response (Galatians 5:25-26)

So, Jerry, what does this look like today? 

Let me share an example or two with you… One work of the flesh is Idolatry - Simply defined as anything we elevate above God ....When we choose to worship other things we create idols and participate in idolatry...for example, if we idolize money we will elevate the pursuit of the dollar and worldly things over the pursuit of Jesus and the things of His Kingdom...now making money is not a sin but idolizing money is a sin.

Here is another one…How about wine since we are sitting in a vineyard.... Jesus himself turned water into wine right?  A part of the fruit of the spirit is self-control......what happens when we take this freedom and set aside self-control, allowing the flesh to rule?  The short answer is sin.

• To solidify this, self-control is a gift that frees us. It frees us to enjoy the benefits of a healthy walk and witness. It frees us to rest in the security of good stewardship. It frees us from a guilty conscience. Self-control restricts the indulgence of our foolish desires, and we find the liberty to love and live as we were meant to in the freedom that is found in Christ. 

So to recap…

The main thing I want you to walk away with today is to understand Your Freedom in Christ (Galatians 5:1-6)

• Key Scripture: "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1)

• Main Point: Christ’s sacrifice freed us from the legalistic demands of the law. As believers, we can stand firm in this freedom and not revert to trying to earn our righteousness through works.

• Application: Live confidently in the grace given to you by Christ. Reject any tendencies to fall back into legalistic practices or beliefs that diminish the power of His sacrifice.

Keeping in Step with the Spirit leads to Freedom (Galatians 5:16-18)

• Key Scripture: "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." (Galatians 5:16)

• Main Point: The Christian life is characterized by walking in the Spirit, which empowers us to overcome the sinful desires of the flesh. The Spirit leads us towards a life that honors God.

• Application: Seek daily guidance and empowerment from the Holy Spirit. Make intentional choices that align with His leading, rejecting fleshy behaviors and attitudes that lead to spiritual bondage.

The Fruit of the Spirit that leads to Freedom has certain characteristics (Galatians 5:22-25)

• Key Scripture: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23)

• Main Point: A life led by the Spirit is evidenced by the fruit it produces. These characteristics not only reflect a transformed life but also positively impact those around us.

• Application: Know the difference between the Spirit and the flesh. Be willing to quickly confess and repent of sin and turn back to the one who offers grace and forgiveness and mercy and walk with Him. 

CONCLUSION:

As we have learned and discussed over this past year, we receive the Holy Spirit as a Helper when we make the choice to live by Faith and believe in Jesus Christ, his death, life and resurrection.  In this chapter, Paul is encouraging believers to walk by the Spirit.  This is obedience to his guiding and teaching.  When we do this, we will overcome/not gratify our human desires.  The desires of the flesh are against the Spirit and the Spirit is against the flesh-  it is truly an inner battle.  How do we know which side is “winning” in our lives?  Take a look at the results - the evidence of our lives:  either works of the flesh, or fruit of the  Spirit. Living in the freedom of Christ means embracing the grace He offers, walking with the Spirit moment by moment, and bearing fruit that reflects His love and character. There is freedom available right here, right now.  Let’s commit to living lives that glorify God and lives that attract others to Jesus.