STUDY IN GALATIANS
SESSION 8
GALATIANS 5:1-26
1) All along St. Paul has talked about the distinction between the Law and Salvation through Faith in(to) Jesus Christ!
a) Under Law – Slavery
b) In(to) Christ – Freedom
2) Now St. Paul moves to saying that “trying to be justified by law” alienates one “from Christ and have fallen from Grace.”
3) Consider the “Slavery of the Law”
a) The Law does not provide Salvation
b) The Law makes us aware of our sin
c) To live under the law is a constant frustration of purpose toward righteousness
d) No matter how righteous we TRY TO BE we will always fall short
e) Results:
i) Continued Resolve to try to attain the unattainable
ii) Frustration and Depression at not being able to succeed
iii) Simply GIVING UP and living life outside the law regardless of consequences
4) Vv 1ff - Having received “freedom in Christ,” returning to “life in the Law “ is like saying that Salvation in Christ requires completion under the Law – Christ’s work on the Cross was not complete!
a) Going back to slavery instead of continuing in freedom
b) BUT this total freedom is a “free gift” that cannot be earned but only received (Romans 6:23f; Ephesians 2:8)
c) The freedom is complete release from condemnation
5) Today we face a world of relativity
a) It is not wise to try to define right and wrong too tightly
b) People do not like to be forced to choose – rather to see all approaches as valid
c) “Sincerity” is the buzzword and key to political correctness
d) BUT the Holy Scriptures do not hold out such a message – it is necessary to choose for or against Christ – for or against Eternal Salvation in the only Name under Heaven in which one can be Saved
e) Christianity is not a fence-sitting faith – choose or reject but not some of each
f) The Message of Law and Works allows pandering to the fallen human condition in making one think he can save himself – it serves human ego and pride
g) Christianity requires the humility to admit self-insufficiency and the absolute NEED of Jesus Christ
6) Vv 13ff - Everyone today is searching for “Freedom”
a) Popular definition – ability to do as one likes in the face of all else without any constriction
b) Christian “Freedom” is not a do what you like how you like when you like state of life
i) Christian Freedom is freedom from condemnation under the law
ii) Christian “Freedom” is life lived under the guidance of God’s Holy Spirit Who will keep us free from sin if we listen to Him
iii) The Holy Spirit speaks what He hears from the Father and the Son (St. John 16:13)
iv) The Holy Spirit speaks in the Name of the Unchanging God – Therefore he will not contradict Himself – NEVER (Synod example Al Knight vs. Nigel Packwood)
c) Christian “Freedom” does not indulge the sinful nature but rather “serves in love”
d) The Holy Spirit indulges God’s clearly stated will against the will of the Flesh therefore leading the individual into true and real freedom from sin and its consequences
7) St. Paul now determines to get right down to “brass tacks” in defining the works of the Flesh (the sinful nature - life without Christ) vs. the Fruit of the Holy Spirit (life in[to] Christ)
a) The results of lawlessness (fallen humanity)
b) The results of Christ-likeness
8) V 21 - Acts of the Sinful Nature (gk: sarkos) WILL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD – definitive – WILL NOT!
a) Sexual
i) Sexual immorality – fornication – any unlawful sexual behaviour not within the design plan of Almighty God
ii) Impurity – unnatural vice
iii) Debauchery – indecency – open and reckless contempt for propriety
b) Religion
i) Idolatry – sins against God
ii) Witchcraft – evil/magical sins against the will of God
c) Society
i) Hatred
ii) Discord
iii) Jealousy
iv) Fits of rage
v) Selfish ambition
vi) Dissensions
vii) Factions
viii) Envy
d) Drink – nowhere is drink condemned in itself
i) Drunkenness
ii) Orgies = carousing
9) Fruit of the Spirit – actions of those who belong to Christ Jesus
a) General Christian Virtues
i) Love
ii) Joy
iii) Peace
b) Social Virtues
i) Patience
ii) Kindness
iii) Goodness
c) Virtues of Self Mastery/Self-Control
i) Faithfulness
ii) Gentleness
iii) Self-control
d) And God says, through St. Paul - Against such there is no law!
10) Christian Faith does not allow living a little bit in each world
a) Works of the Flesh – Eternal Condemnation
b) Fruit of the Spirit – in(to) Christ through the Holy Spirit – Eternal Life
11) V 25 - Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit
Next Session
Galatians 6:1-18
