Week 4
October 21, 2023

The Galatians Were Moving
From Faith To Works Mentality

Stand fast therefore (It’s Not Automatic) in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage (The Law).
Galatians 5:1

The Law Served No Purpose In Liberty or Justification
But Only Bondage

Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law.
Galatians 5:2-3

You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. (Grace Is Higher Life)
Galatians 5:4

You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. (Grace Is Higher Life)
Galatians 5:4 NASV

IMPORTANT!!!!!!
The only people Jesus ever openly rebuked were the legalistic Jews who totally rejected grace.

The Worst Sin of All Is Self-Righteousness

For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.
Galatians 5:5-6

You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is.
Galatians 5:7-10

And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased. I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off!
Galatians 5:11-12

For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Galatians 5:13

“Christian Liberty” Is Not “Freedom To Sin”
But “Freedom From Sin”

Our Motivation Behind Living Holy Has Changed
We Do Not Live Holy, To Be Accepted
We Are Accepted and It’s Our New Nature To Live Holy

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!
Galatians 5:14-15

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Galatians 5:16-18

How do we walk in the Spirit?
We Walk In The Word!

Overcome The Flesh and We Will See More of God’s Power
“Stop Sinning”
Or
Walk In The Spirit and The Flesh Loses Its Power Over Us
“Start Loving”

Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: (Sensual Results) adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,(False Worship) idolatry, sorcery, (Personal and Social Relations) hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders,(Overindulgance) drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19-21

However, Christians can commit these acts also. Does this mean that any Christian who is guilty of something listed here has lost his or her salvation? Definitely not!
The phrase “shall not inherit the kingdom of God” may be rendered as “‘will not enjoy having God rule over them’ or ‘will never have the joy of God ruling them’” (UBS Handbook, p. 139)

But the fruit of the Spirit (Produces T.E.V.) is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23

And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Galatians 5:24-26