Running free
Galatians chapter five gives some very simple advice. Being made right with God is simple, and staying right with Him is too, but it’s not always easy and takes patience and perseverance, especially since it will come with tough times. We are encouraged to keep life simple, avoid seemingly trivial sins, and keep doing the little things right, in love and in faith in Jesus Christ, let God deal with the big stuff. Just keep running.
Scripture
Galatians 5:1-12 ESV For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. [2] Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. [3] I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. [4] You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. [5] For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. [6] For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. [7] You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? [8] This persuasion is not from him who calls you. [9] A little leaven leavens the whole lump. [10] I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. [11] But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. [12] I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!
Bible Study Questions
Protect your precious freedom
What are you enslaved to? What has Jesus Christ freed you from? What puts us in danger of being enslaved again?
Galatians 5:1-12 ESV For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
John 8:31-36 ESV So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, [32] and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” [33] They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” [34] Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. [35] The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. [36] So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Can we keep the whole law?
Sometimes trying to add something to what we have - takes away what we had. Trying to add circumcision to the Gospel of grace was showing faith in something other than Christ’s grace, meaning that there was no longer saving faith in Him alone and therefore all was lost. What are we trying to add to our faith in Christ alone, hoping it will add to our security?
Galatians 5:2-3 ESV Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. [3] I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law.
James 2:9-10 ESV But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. [10] For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.
Fallen from grace (Don’t get cut off from Christ)
Trying to be right with God by obeying the law is hopeless, if it were possible, what would that make of the terrible sacrifice that Jesus paid for us?
Galatians 5:4 ESV You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.
Galatians 2:21 ESV I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.
Faith working through love
Faith working through love is the only thing that counts in a Christian’s life, how can we make sure our lives count?
Galatians 5:5-6 ESV For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. [6] For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
Romans 8:23-25 ESV And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. [24] For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? [25] But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Run with endurance (Don’t let them cut you off)
Life is like a long distance race, and sometimes things cut in in front of us and hinder us from running. What was cutting in front of the Church in Galatia? What was the result?
Galatians 5:7-8 ESV You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? [8] This persuasion is not from him who calls you.
Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Stands strong, God will deal with the enemy
Sometimes the little things are dangerous because of the way they multiply. Paul trusts God to do two things in the Church in Galatia despite this very real danger of things growing out of hand. What are these two things?
Galatians 5:9-10 ESV A little leaven leavens the whole lump. [10] I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 ESV Rejoice always, [17] pray without ceasing, [18] give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. [19] Do not quench the Spirit. [20] Do not despise prophecies, [21] but test everything; hold fast what is good. [22] Abstain from every form of evil. [23] Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. [24] He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
Remember the cross is offensive
Tough times brings temptations to pull away from Christ, we need to remember that tough times often accompany our journey especially when we’re running well, and working out our faith in love. Remember God will bring justice, just keep going.
Galatians 5:11-12 ESV But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. [12] I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!