5/19/10 Galatians 4 &5
Free from the Flesh by the Spirit
(Ga 5:13)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.
In chapter 4 Paul highlights those who have genuinely believed and are now considered sons and heirs of God. Not only that, but God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts (Gal 4:6). This is incredibly significant as it relates to chapter 5.
See in chapter 5 Paul is stressing to the Galatian churches that Christ has come to set them free (Gal 5:1). Free from the Law which acts as a yoke of slavery. Some within the Galatian churches were reverting back to a legalistic approach to earn justification. Paul says to do this you are actually severed from Christ and have fallen from grace (Gal 5:4). True believers are free from attempts to be justified by any legal requirements.
More importantly true believers have an opportunity to resist the works of the flesh. Until someone comes in repentance and faith to Jesus then they are not a son, and they are a slave to sin. They have no other option before them but to be continually captive to sin. When someone comes in repentance and faith in Jesus the Redeemer then they are no longer in bondage to sin, and have received the Spirit into the heart.
Well, the Spirit makes all the difference. Without the Spirit then what is evident are the deeds of the flesh. Now a true believer does have the Spirit and is capable of all the deeds of the flesh also, but has a way out and that is based in dependence on the Spirit. Believers can “walk by the Spirit” meaning to depend on the Spirit for guidance and strength, that allows the believer to not carry out the deeds of the flesh. The believer can also be “led by the Spirit” this means a believer will be guided understanding that the Law brings nothing nor does my human effort to my justification.
The believer also can “live by the Spirit” meaning a life that is centered and committed to Christ Jesus crucifying the flesh and it’s passion and desires. Where a life is oriented to living by the Spirit the natural succession is to be able to “walk by the Spirit” again meaning complete dependence on the Spirit for guidance and strength. The guidance and strength is not available to the unbeliever, but allows the believer to live distinctively different by producing the fruit of the Spirit.
Prayer: Father thank you for providing the Spirit of Christ within me. My greatest treasure. This same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead dwells within me (Rom 8:11), not because of any of my goodness or righteousness, but simply by your offer of grace in Jesus. Father I ask from you that I would “live by the Spirit,” “walk by the Spirit,” and be “led by the Spirit” for the fruit of the Spirit to be displayed in me. Forgive me for my dependence upon myself at times and the deeds produced as a result. I thank you for your continual and faithful forgiveness, in Jesus name. Amen.