July 19, 2018 STAND FAST
Galatians 5:1 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”
The truth found in this verse speaks volumes and pin-points an age old battle that believers have faced ever since Jesus established the church. It seems that man, including believers, has an innate aptitude, or a nature to live under a certain set of laws. Living in freedom does not happen naturally; in many ways, it’s easier to live under law. The letter to the Galatians believers was written to believers who were reverting back to living under the law, even though they were saved by the grace of God. In 3:1-3, Paul asked the Galatians “O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you?......I would like to learn one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by the means of the flesh?” We may be quick to say that we do not live under the law, referring to the law that the children of Israel lived under. However, if we examine ourselves carefully, we may find that we do live according to the law of the flesh which says that we must do this or do that in order to be a “good Christian.” As alluded to above, not to live according to the flesh is a big deal! (Just to clarify, living according to the ‘flesh’ is to live according to our own dictates, and not according to the ways of God.) As believers, we must guard against the tendency to judge or validate our spiritually on the basis of what we do out of the law of the flesh. Nothing done in the flesh can be pleasing to God. But let it be clear, as believers, we do have a law to live under-the law of the Spirit in Christ Jesus. As believers, we are to live according to the direction and the empowerment of the Spirit who lives in us. We must understand that we have already been justified, we have already been accepted and made complete in Christ-there is nothing else for us to earn. The things we do now, we do because we belong to Him and we want to do the things that please Him. As a practical example: it is good and right to go to church, but if we go because that is what ‘good Christians’ do, we miss the point. Under the law of the Spirit, we go to church because we are a part of the body of Christ, we go to bless others and enjoy the fellowship, to hear the gospel proclaimed, to exercise our spiritual gifting, to worship with other believers, etc. There is more to be said on this later, but for now, let us ‘stand fast’ in the grace and liberty that we have in Christ and let us do what we do because the Spirit of God is living in us.
Romans 8:1-2 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, for the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.”
Blessings,
Buddy
Galatians 5:1 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”
The truth found in this verse speaks volumes and pin-points an age old battle that believers have faced ever since Jesus established the church. It seems that man, including believers, has an innate aptitude, or a nature to live under a certain set of laws. Living in freedom does not happen naturally; in many ways, it’s easier to live under law. The letter to the Galatians believers was written to believers who were reverting back to living under the law, even though they were saved by the grace of God. In 3:1-3, Paul asked the Galatians “O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you?......I would like to learn one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by the means of the flesh?” We may be quick to say that we do not live under the law, referring to the law that the children of Israel lived under. However, if we examine ourselves carefully, we may find that we do live according to the law of the flesh which says that we must do this or do that in order to be a “good Christian.” As alluded to above, not to live according to the flesh is a big deal! (Just to clarify, living according to the ‘flesh’ is to live according to our own dictates, and not according to the ways of God.) As believers, we must guard against the tendency to judge or validate our spiritually on the basis of what we do out of the law of the flesh. Nothing done in the flesh can be pleasing to God. But let it be clear, as believers, we do have a law to live under-the law of the Spirit in Christ Jesus. As believers, we are to live according to the direction and the empowerment of the Spirit who lives in us. We must understand that we have already been justified, we have already been accepted and made complete in Christ-there is nothing else for us to earn. The things we do now, we do because we belong to Him and we want to do the things that please Him. As a practical example: it is good and right to go to church, but if we go because that is what ‘good Christians’ do, we miss the point. Under the law of the Spirit, we go to church because we are a part of the body of Christ, we go to bless others and enjoy the fellowship, to hear the gospel proclaimed, to exercise our spiritual gifting, to worship with other believers, etc. There is more to be said on this later, but for now, let us ‘stand fast’ in the grace and liberty that we have in Christ and let us do what we do because the Spirit of God is living in us.
Romans 8:1-2 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, for the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.”
Blessings,
Buddy
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