As a reminder of context, in writing to the Galatians Paul was confronting what appears to be a turn toward legalism… putting faith in salvation in obedience to the law. He strongly rebukes the people to put their faith in salvation only in Christ Jesus. He is not condemning circumcision or the law, but rather the idea of putting our faith into those things so that we would be saved instead of Jesus. While we should clearly avoid thinking of the law as salvation, let us recognize that Paul identifies in this very same passage that the law can be summarized as loving your neighbor as yourself. Thus the law can’t be bad in and of itself. It serves as a good guide. For those of us who are Spirit-filled and submitted to the Spirit, Paul argues that we will not “need” the law. However, let us not lose sight of the fact that the Spirit will not lead you inconsistently with the law and instructions of God. Both are focused on loving God and loving one another… God’s way.
Let us all invite the Spirit in to fill us and lead us as followers of Christ. Recognize the law has no power to save us, only through faith in Christ can we be saved. However, the law has been and remains a helpful guide in understanding what we should do and not do. We must study and pray for the Spirit to lead us, however. There are aspects of the law, such as animal sacrifices, which are no longer relevant given Christ’s death for us. Let us also take care not to confuse the many man made “laws” or rules that are not of God but have been added. Let us stick to the Bible and not the rules of men that have been added and are so burdensome as to overwhelm anyone.
As we decide which aspects of God’s law are meaningful and which we believe may no longer be… let us look for scripture to understand which have been fulfilled and not take such a simplified approach as to throw all the law out on the assumption that we no longer need God’s guide. It still has value to help many who are not Spirit filled or fully submitted to God’s Spirit. It is a good check or validation to many of us as well as to whether our flesh may be leading us astray in some areas in our life as it battles for control with our submission to the Spirit.
Walk by the Spirit
1It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
2Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. 3And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. 4You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness. 6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.
7You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you. 9A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough. 10I have confidence in you in the Lord that you will adopt no other view; but the one who is disturbing you will bear his judgment, whoever he is. 11But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished. 12I wish that those who are troubling you would even mutilate themselves.
13For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” 15But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.
16But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. 19Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. 26Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.
Pray the Spirit would fill God’s people around the world and overwhelm the desires of the flesh such that we would have a revival around the globe.
Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ
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