The Gospel of Galatians
It was for this freedom that Christ set us free [completely liberating us]; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery [which you once removed].
Notice, it is I, Paul, who tells you that if you receive circumcision [as a supposed requirement of salvation], Christ will be of no benefit to you [for you will lack the faith in Christ that is necessary for salvation].
Once more I solemnly affirm to every man who receives circumcision [as a supposed requirement of salvation], that he is under obligation and required to keep the whole Law.
You have been severed from Christ, if you seek to be justified [that is, declared free of the guilt of sin and its penalty, and placed in right standing with God] through the Law; you have fallen from grace [for you have lost your grasp on God’s unmerited favor and blessing].
For we [not relying on the Law but] through the [strength and power of the Holy] Spirit, by faith, are waiting [confidently] for the hope of righteousness [the completion of our salvation].
For [if we are] in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but only faith activated and expressed and working through love.
You were running [the race] well; who has interfered and prevented you from obeying the truth?
This [deceptive] persuasion is not from Him who called you [to freedom in Christ].
A little leaven [a slight inclination to error, or a few false teachers] leavens the whole batch [it perverts the concept of faith and misleads the church].
I have confidence in you in the Lord that you will adopt no other view [contrary to mine on the matter]; but the one who is disturbing you, whoever he is, will have to bear the penalty.
But as for me, brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision [as I had done before I met Christ; and as some accuse me of doing now, as necessary for salvation], why am I still being persecuted [by Jews]? In that case the stumbling block of the cross [to unbelieving Jews] has been abolished.
I wish that those who are troubling you [by teaching that circumcision is necessary for salvation] would even [go all the way and] castrate themselves!
For you, my brothers, were called to freedom; only do not let your freedom become an opportunity for the sinful nature (worldliness, selfishness), but through love serve and seek the best for one another.
For the whole Law [concerning human relationships] is fulfilled in one precept, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, you shall have an unselfish concern for others and do things for their benefit].”
But if you bite and devour one another [in bickering and strife], watch out that you [along with your entire fellowship] are not consumed by one another.
But I say, walk habitually in the [Holy] Spirit [seek Him and be responsive to His guidance], and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the sinful nature [which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts].
For the sinful nature has its desire which is opposed to the Spirit, and the [desire of the] Spirit opposes the sinful nature; for these [two, the sinful nature and the Spirit] are in direct opposition to each other [continually in conflict], so that you [as believers] do not [always] do whatever [good things] you want to do.
But if you are guided and led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the Law.
Now the practices of the sinful nature are clearly evident: they are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control),
idolatry, sorcery, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions [that promote heresies],
envy, drunkenness, riotous behavior, and other things like these. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.
And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature together with its passions and appetites.
If we [claim to] live by the [Holy] Spirit, we must also walk by the Spirit [with personal integrity, godly character, and moral courage—our conduct empowered by the Holy Spirit].
We must not become conceited, challenging or provoking one another, envying one another.
Content source: the Amplified Bible (AMP) by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631.
Image source: Our media Team
This 5th chapter of Galatians which is popularly known for presenting the fruits of the flesh and fruits of the Spirit contains necessary ingredients for a growing Christian.
Having been made anew in Christ, our lives are no more programmed by the demands and positions of the flesh. Rather, the New Creation Man is to be led by the Spirit of God every step of the way/. This total reliance on God through the Holy Spirit is counted to the believer as righteousness. We are made right with God not because we try doing the right things in line with the demands of the law, rather, our righteousness is imputted on us by God through Christ.
Halleliua!
Thanks to @reliquary for sharing this
Let us try that our thoughts and legalistic arguments do not cloud the truth, to allow our being to submit to the principles of the law, because knowing that it is not for her that we are justified, let us give ourselves to the one who can justify us by faith. sad is to notice that someone who has been born of the spirit, for the truth, turns to the law, to become legalistic, allowing deception to coerce their freedom in Christ. The one who practices the law, is obliged to fulfill it all, but that being can fulfill it without error, neither. The law is a guide, which must be transcended in the love and guidance of God to obey it, without it becoming a bond. The work of the Holy Spirit and the faith that have been given to us for salvation, and perfection of our being They are not based on their own justice, but await with hope and patience the justice that was revealed to us on the Cross. Those who understand the truth can wait patiently, persevering and offering their lives in living sacrifice.
The freedom that is achieved with grace should not be used to unleash our passions and desires; as some continue to do, rather, that it be used to serve one another with love. For free from all yoke, man can love with freedom and service.
These words have always ministered to my life "Christian freedom", because not everyone has the privilege of enjoying this true freedom that Christ offers us.
Paul begins his presentation of practical gospel questions by exhorting the Galatians to use their Christian freedom appropriately, exhorting that they should stand firm in it.
It is evident that the galatas had to make a crucial selection between the law and the grace, because, those that choose for the justification according to the law, of the grace have fallen, because it is impossible to choose both at the same time, in other words, the effective power of God's grace becomes inoperative in the life of anyone who relies on his own efforts to receive salvation.
Conclude that piety is the result of the action of Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit, in the life of the believer, is not achieved through the observance of any formal code, any attempt to achieve righteousness by attending a list of prohibitions and authorizations are unsuccessful, God calls us to love others and serve them as Jesus did, by the power of the Holy Spirit itself and in the same freedom.
"Whom the son of man shall deliver, you shall be truly free"
I bow to these explanatory comments from you @uyobong and @ricci01, thanks for continuing to comment on our wonderful @reliquary. Freedom
Freedom
Freedom in Christ.
Thank you Archbishop @Emiliocabrera. Am humbled!
the bible holds that a person is saved through faith. Saving faith is a living faith in the living savior, a vital faith that can not fail to express itself with works motivated by love.