Lesson Passage: Galatians 5:16-26
Galatians 5:16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
Walk in the Spirit.
The NIV uses the term live by the Spirit. Walk is in the original Greek and we use walk the same way. “A Walk to Remember” “Don’t talk the talk if you can’t walk the walk”.
The Holy Spirit’s dwelling within the believer is a sign that the believer is part of God’s people and an heir of the covenant promises given to Abraham (3:14; 4:6; 5:5). The Spirit’s presence is also a sign that in the final day God will declare the believer righteous (5:5; 2 Cor. 1:22; 5:5).
Walking or living in the Spirit is Grace empowered and enabled but requires our participation.
Galatians 5:17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.
Galatians 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
the flesh = Sinful nature.
Paul says in 6:13 that the agitators in Galatia want to circumcise the Galatians in order to glory in their “flesh,” and in 2:16 Paul says that by observing the law “no flesh” (that is, no one) will be justified. The word “flesh” is used at least three ways by Paul. The broadest use is a simple reference to humanness. Another use is for the physical body. The narrowest use, especially when placed in contrast to “spirit,” is to refer to the sinful human nature, which includes the mind and soul. If the Galatians abandon Christ and place their confidence in the law, they will be turning back to reliance on the flesh, and thus to existence under the law’s curse.
There is hope as well as warning in Paul’s words. Although the desires of the flesh oppose the Spirit, the desires given by the Holy Spirit deliver us from the flesh and the law.
Sanctification: The Spirit and the Flesh
Sanctification is “the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.”
It does not mean that sin is instantly eradicated, but it is also more than a counteraction, in which sin is merely restrained or repressed without being progressively destroyed
Regeneration is birth; sanctification is growth. In regeneration, God implants desires that were not there before: desire for God, for holiness, and for glorifying God’s name in the world; desire to pray and worship; desire to love and bring benefit to others. In sanctification, the Holy Spirit “works in you both to will and to do” according to God’s purpose, enabling His people to fulfill their new, godly desires (Phil. 2:12, 13).
Believers find within themselves contrary urgings. The Spirit sustains their regenerate desires and purposes, but their fallen instincts (the “flesh”) obstruct their path and drag them back. The conflict of these two is sharp. Paul says he is unable to do what is right, and unable to restrain himself from doing what is wrong (Rom. 7:14–25). This conflict and frustration will be with Christians as long as they are in the body. Yet by watching and praying against temptation, and cultivating opposite virtues, they may through the Spirit’s help “put to death” particular bad habits (Rom. 8:13; Col. 3:5).
One particular trap is to forget our hearts nature and allow our fallen instincts to become clothed with a “spiritual” frosting.
Galatians 5:19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;
Galatians 5:20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions
Galatians 5:21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Selfish ambition, dissensions, factions = contentions … heresies.
Paul lists gross sins that the legalists would condemn, but follows them with the very sins they were guilty of (v. 15).
will not inherit the kingdom of God.
One of four occurrences of this phrase in the Pauline letters (1 Cor. 6:9, 10; 15:50; cf. Eph. 5:5). Paul’s point is that those who do not exhibit the graces of the Spirit (v. 22) in their lives will not take part in God’s eternal kingdom.
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
fruit of the Spirit.
Paul uses the metaphor of fruit to describe the conduct of the believer in Rom. 6:22; Eph. 5:9; and Phil. 1:11. John the Baptist likewise claimed that true repentance would produce the “fruit” of concrete ethical behavior (Matt. 3:8; Luke 3:8). The love produced by the Spirit is like the love of Christ. It goes far beyond the performance of legalistic self-righteousness (Luke 10:25–37).
Fruit singular with these characteristics … a representative but not exhaustive list.
A sacrificial purposeful love, God’s love that can stand in the fire.
Joy independent of circumstances.
Peace, shalom not just without conflict but a completeness, a state of full well being.
Patience in suffering and discomfort.
Kindness includes aspects of gentleness, generosity, honesty, and goodness.
Goodness in the second mile
Faithfulness implying trustworthiness, reliability, and dependability
Gentleness – meekness in KJV carries with it the idea of a teachable spirit and/or submission to God’s will. Doesn’t imply wimpy but a person who controls their emotions and strength in service to others. For example, Moses.
Self control – temperance in KJV, control in struggle against temptation to sin.
Against such things there is no law
In the context of this epistle remember that the law must bow before the work of God’s Spirit empowering and enabling you to be truly pleasing to God.
Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge].
Amplified New Testament;The Amplified New Testament
Against the product of the Holy Spirit in your life no law can bring a charge against you.
Galatians 5:24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.
have crucified the (sinful nature) flesh.
For the people of Christ, the Cross broke the grip of the law (2:19) and also the grip of the flesh. By faith they recognize the reality of their union with Christ in His death. So, too, they have been raised to new life in the Spirit of Christ and therefore walk in the Spirit (Col. 3:1, 3, 5).
Therefore, we should live as disciples (under discipline).
Galatians 5:25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Galatians 5:26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Keep in mind the problem Paul was addressing. Legalism produces conceit that provokes strife and envy that feeds our sinful nature (flesh).
Keep in step – military term meaning be in a line. We need to line up with the Holy Spirit.
Provoking means an attitude of combat
Coram Deo
- Don’t forget our dependence on the Holy Spirit
- Don’t forget that our hearts are tricky (deceitful)
- Scripture is sure but our hearts are sure not
- Your sanctification is a work of Grace that you participate in
No comments:
Post a Comment