ABOVE ALL, LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Updated: Dec 19, 2023
Paul writes to the young church in Galatians. He doesn't know them personally, but he gives them instruction on following Jesus and who the Holy Spirit is, as well as what love and true freedom look like. He teaches them in chapter 5 what a life of freedom looks like.
At last we have freedom, for Christ has set us free! We must always cherish this truth and firmly refuse to go back into the bondage of our past. - Galatians 5:1
The church at this age didn't know life without devoting their lives to the law within the Jewish religion. These people at this time did no
t know a culture of freedom in Jesus. Paul passionately explains how the law won't provide true freedom.
I, Paul, tell you: If you think there is benefit in circumcision and Jewish regulations, then you're acting as though Christ is not enough. 3 I say it again emphatically: If you let yourselves be circumcised you are obliged to fulfill every single one of the commandments and regulations of the law! 4 If you want to be made right with God by fulfilling the obligations of the law, you have cut off more than your flesh—you have cut yourselves off from Christ and have fallen away from the revelation of grace! - Galatians 5:2-4
He isn't just telling them something they've seen on billboards or seen on bracelets their whole lives. He is proposing a radical change in how they view their God. He is offering an accessible God that no longer requires sacrifices and payments in exchange for atonement for their sins.
5 But we have the true hope that comes from being made right with God, and by the Spirit we wait eagerly for this hope. 6 When you're joined to the Anointed One, circumcision and religious obligations can benefit you nothing. All that matters now is living in the faith that works and expresses itself through love. - Galatians 5:5-6
Someone infected this body of believers with the idea that legalism was again the right way. Paul is so upset by this turn of thought from being saved by grace through Jesus back to putting faith in the law.
Before you were led astray, you were so faithful. Who has deceived you so that you have turned from what is right? 8 The One who enfolded you into his grace is not behind this false teaching that you've embraced. 9 Don't you know that when you allow even a little lie into your heart, it can permeate your entire belief system? - Galatians 5:8-9
Yet even though Paul is angry, he believes Holy Spirit will illuminate the truth to these people. He believes this body of people are saved by grace through Jesus Christ.
3 Beloved ones, God has called us to live a life of freedom. But don't view this wonderful freedom as an excuse to set up a base of operations in the natural realm. Constantly love each other and be committed to serve one another. 14 For all the law can be summarized in one grand statement:
"Demonstrate love to your neighbor, even as you care for and love yourself."
15 But if you continue to criticize and come against each other over minor issues, you're acting like wild beasts trying to destroy one another! Galatians 5:13-15
Paul expresses that the law can be summarized down to one simple concept: love your neighbor. Paul explains we are called to live a life led by the Holy Spirit. He explains true freedom doesn't look like acting on every impulse that satisfies us. It looks like this.
16 Let me emphasize this: As you yield to the dynamic life and power of the Holy Spirit, you will abandon the cravings of your self-life. 17 When your self-life craves the things that offend the Holy Spirit you hinder him from living free within you! And the Holy Spirit's intense cravings hinder your self-life from dominating you! So then, the two incompatible and conflicting forces within you are your self-life of the flesh and the new creation life of the Spirit. 18 But when you yield to the life of the Spirit, you will no longer be living under the law, but soaring above it! - Galatians 5:16-18
The fruit of this life led by Holy Spirit is filled with these distinguishing characteristics.
22–23 But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions:
joy that overflows,
peace that subdues,
patience that endures,
kindness in action,
a life full of virtue,
faith that prevails,
gentleness of heart, and
strength of Spirit.
Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless. - Galatians 5:22-23
These qualities are to be limitless. Paul further explains what a life lead by holy Spirit looks like within daily life.
24 Keep in mind that we who belong to Jesus Christ have already experienced crucifixion. For everything connected with our self-life was put to death on the cross and crucified with Messiah. 25 If the Spirit is the source of our life, we must also allow the Spirit to direct every aspect of our lives. - Galatians 5:24-25
He then emphasizes never to look down on each other. Do not be righteously superior to anyone because we are all created by God as individuals made in His image. He expresses jealousy for what it is, toxic thinking that destroys.
26 So may we never be arrogant, or look down on another, for each of us is an original. We must forsake all jealousy that diminishes the value of others.
Why did Jesus come?
To release the Jews from the law
To bring the presence of God to each of them
To extend the bloodline of Abraham through physical boundaries by grafting us into his family supernaturally.
To bring the Jewish people and our freedom through the Holy Spirit who reveals the heart of God to each of us
To give us the option of saying "yes" to God
What are we supposed to do now that we have access to Holy Spirit?
Do not believe we are better than others and behave arrogantly.
Lead a life led by God with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, virtue, gentleness, and strength.
Do not be bound by religious law
Do not criticize and fight with other disciples
And above all, "Love one another"
For all the law can be summarized in one grand statement: "Demonstrate love to your neighbor, even as you care for and love yourself." ♥️
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