“It is for freedom that CHRIST HAS SET US FREE. STAND FIRM, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. Again, I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. YOU WHO ARE TRYING TO BE JUSTIFIED BY THE LAW HAVE BEEN ALIENATED FROM CHRIST; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. THE ONLY THING THAT COUNTS IS FAITH EXPRESSING ITSELF THROUGH LOVE. You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?” (Galatians 5:1-7)
Paul’s letter to the Galatians can be divided into three parts. Chapters 1—2 focus on Paul’s biography, including his qualifications to represent Christ as an apostle. The end of Chapter 2, through Chapter 4, deals mainly with theology, explaining that justification comes by faith in Christ and not by following the works of the law. Chapters 5—6 focus on application of these truths. Knowing all that’s been presented in Chapters 1—4, how should those who are free in Christ live? Paul begins Chapter 5 by stating flatly that Christ has set us free in order that we should be free. Freedom, though, requires resistance against a return to bondage. Those in Christ must STAND FIRM against anyone who would try to DRAG THEM INTO SLAVERY UNDER THE LAW (Galatians 5:1).
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham