The Fruit of the Spirit, part 2

Paul writes to this divided church, to remind them of the freedom in relationship with Christ that comes by grace and is empowered by the Holy Spirit. Paul is “astonished” by how quick they deserted the “grace of Christ” (Galatians 1:6). In the place of Christ, they had accepted a false gospel and confusion was ruling the day (cf. 1:7-8). Paul is so frustrated angry about what has happened he writes these words… VS 9b “If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, a curse be on him!” Another translation ends that verse, saying… “… let him be eternally condemned.”
 

All of this turmoil was bringing the Galatian church into crisis and Paul knew that the only answer was to return to the freedom of Christ’s Gospel.
 

Paul spends two chapters talking about how the Gospel is real and authentic; it truly brings salvation and freedom from sin. And, it is available to everyone who will call on the Name of the Lord, not just to the Jew.
 

He then takes chapters 3 & 4 to teach about the SUPERIORITY of the Gospel, over The Law of Moses – freedom in Christ, no longer requires the religious ritual and rule that binds and kills.
 

The last two chapters of this letter are spent teaching about this simple thought: we are free to do what is right, our freedom in Christ is not a license to sin, but license to live right, righteously.
 

Over and over in this book, Paul talks about the work of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life. The Holy Spirit instructs, guides, leads, and gives power. The Holy Spirit ends our bondage to evil desires, while, at the same time, creating in us love, joy, peace, and many other wonderful changes.
 

On the other side of the work of the Holy Spirit is the work of the flesh. In Galatia, fleshly works were disguised in religious clothes. Some were keeping score by checking off the boxes of rules. Others, however, were using their freedom from the rules, to do anything they felt like doing – calling it grace.   

The sad result of obedience to The Law, or to the flesh, is always the same, a spirit of criticism, anger, judgmentalism, competitiveness, and more. Why does this happen? Because we stop being motivated by love!
 

Now, this is where we are, in Galatians 5. Paul confronts those who have backslid into horrible sin because they forsook freedom in Christ and tried to save themselves, either by The Mosaic Law, or by fulfilling their own desires.

Continued tomorrow