Galatians 5:1–4 (NLT) - 1 So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law. 2 Listen! I, Paul, tell you this: If you are counting on circumcision to make you right with God, then Christ will be of no benefit to you. 3 I’ll say it again. If you are trying to find favor with God by being circumcised, you must obey every regulation in the whole law of Moses. 4 For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s grace.
1. Influence of the LAW
Galatians 3:10-12 (NLT) - 10 But those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under his curse, for the Scriptures say, “Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the commands that are written in God’s Book of the Law.” 11 So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.” 12 This way of faith is very different from the way of law, which says, “It is through obeying the law that a person has life.”
2. Influence of the FLESH
Galatians 5:17; 19-21 (NLT) - 17 For the sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
3. Influence of LOVE
Galatians 5:13–15 (NLT) — 13 For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. 14 For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.
4. Influence of the Spirit
Galatians 5:16–25 (NLT) — 16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. 18 But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.
This journey through the letters from Paul to the early church can give us wisdom and insight on Christian living today.
18 Part Series
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Understand the standard that God has set.
Embrace the Holy Spirit's role for a life that's fulfilling and purposeful.
What God has placed upon you will always be greater than anything the enemy can place in place in front of you.
Life begins with God's love for us and how we show it to the world around us.
Guard against human reasoning by standing on all that God says.
Understand what it means for us to draw near to our Savior.
See how spiritual gifts are intended to make a difference in believers' lives and bring us together.
Ephesians 3:10-11. As His creation, we reflect His nature for all the world to see.
Remain humble, genuine, and diligent towards one another, regardless of what's happening around us.
1 Timothy 3 - Tomorrow's Church depends upon the leaders we are raising up today.
2 Corinthians 9 - It all begins with the condition of our hearts.
Hebrews 11 - Let your convictions in the unseen determine your actions until the end, regardless of what happens.
It's not about what's happening to us but a matter of what we are choosing.
Understand how to find contentment today.
Discover how worship can be seen in all that we do.
Here's an encouraging word to pursue God until you see the breakthrough!
See where Christ is to be first in our lives.