Our Daily Scripture – 7/9/22

SCRIPTURE:  GALATIANS 5

BIBLE VERSES:

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 1:1)

“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love” (Galatians 5:6)

“3 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.   For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Galatians 5:13-14)

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.   For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.   But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” (Galatians 5:16-18)

“ But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.   Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” (Galatians 5:22-26)

FREEDOM IN CHRIST (vs. 1-15)

Christ had set us from through the sacrifice of his life.  The yoke of the law had been removed.  “By faith, we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness that which we hope”  We express our faith through love” (vs. 5-6)

Do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature, rAther, serve one another in love.  For the entire law is summed up in a single commandment “Love your neighbor as yourself” (vs. 13-14)

LIFE BY THE SPIRIT (vs. 16-26)

ACTS OF SINFUL NATURE CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING:

  1. sexual immorality
  2. impurity
  3. debauchery
  4. idolatry
  5. witchcraft
  6. hatred
  7. discord
  8. jealousy
  9. fits of rage
  10. selfish ambition
  11. dissension
  12. factions
  13. envy
  14. drunkenness
  15. orgies

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

  1. love
  2. peace
  3. joy
  4. patience
  5. kindness
  6. goodness
  7. faithfulness
  8. gentleness
  9. self-control

If we live by Spirit, we will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.  When we belong to Christ, our sinful nature with its passions and desires had been crucified, so that we live by the Spirit.

THOUGHTS:

  1. Those who adhered to observance of law argued that if Christians are free from the law, they will live wicked lives.  That is why they need the law to control them.  But Paul countered it saying, if we step back into legalism, we risk entanglement and bondage.  Christian liberty does not encourage a wicked life.  When a Christian has faith in Christ he receives the power in the Spirit which produces love that works in his life.  He has been bowed down to Christ with true Christian walk.  He reiterated that liberty of grace is not license to sin.  Rather, it is fulfilling the greatest law which is love one another.
  2. Those who live according to the law depend on the power of the flesh.  Those who live by grace depend on the power of the Spirit.  Christians are to “walk in the Spirit”, meaning to have our daily lives under the direction of His Word.  He is to be led by the Spirit, meaning his life is no longer in bondage buyt under His control.
  3. A life under God’s control can produce the Fruit of the Spirit namely:  love, peace joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.  When you are led by the Spirit, the word of God is n your mind.  The love of Christ will be your action, and the power of Christ will help you to control your selfish desires.  Christians are expected to live lives of holiness by the grace of God.