“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free,
and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage”
– Galatians 5:1 –
In chapter 5 of Galatians, Paul emphasized remaining in the freedom of salvation by faith in Christ. He also argued that love is the essence of the law (v. 14).
An important call of the apostle was for them to stand firmly on a solid foundation. That foundation was the truth established in the Holy Scriptures. The diligent Christian perseveres in studying and discussing the Scriptures and examines them to find out if he remains steadfast in the faith (vv. 7-9).
Noo matter how much we know about the Scriptures and their interpretation, we must always continue searching for the truth. That is why I want to tell you: get to know the truths of the Bible, live those truths, and continue growing, discovering, and applying them to life.
Paul reminded the Galatians that they were not under the law and warned them that the Holy Spirit never led people to seek salvation by conforming to the requirements of the Jewish ritual system or by any legal justice system, or even salvation by obedience to the moral law of the Ten Commandments (vv. 10-15). On the other hand, those who submit to a legalistic religion are at war with the Holy Spirit (vv. 16-18).
Finally, he pointed out the fruit of the Spirit, which refers to what develops naturally in our lives when the Spirit takes control. The results of this control are in contrast with the works of the flesh (vv. 19-23). The fruit of he Spirit is not a spontaneous product of human nature, but of a completely different power that comes from outside the individual.
The word “fruit” is in the singular, while the word “works” is in the plural. There is only one “fruit of the Spirit,” and that one fruit includes all the Christian graces listed there. In other words, all these graces must be present in the life of the Christian. Understanding this means experiencing true freedom and fullness of Christian joy (vv. 1, 13).
He who is trying to reach heaven by his own works in keeping the law is attempting an impossibility. There is no safety for one who has merely a legal religion, a form of godliness. The Christian’s life is not a modification or improvement of the old, but a transformation of nature. There is death to self and sin, and a new life altogether. This change can be brought about only by the effectual working of the Holy Spirit (The Desire of Ages, p. 172).
Christ’s grace gives us freedom from sin and leads us to obey.
It is obedience that comes from God’s love,
and not obedience that tries to get God to love us.
Be free from bondage, be blessed….