©2003 Pastor Tom Miles

Paul exhorts the Galatians in verse one to stand fast in the knowledge that Christ has made them free.  The Gospel of Christ brings freedom not bondage like the Mosaic Law.  Paul pleads with them to not be brought under the yoke of bondage again.  Paul states that being drawn into union with the Jewish law would be bondage again.  In verse two Paul says, with passion, that if they accept circumcision because of the Jewish law they receive nothing extra from Christ.  It will profit them nothing to be circumcised simply because of the custom of the law.  Paul says it would only be a symbol of their obedience to the Law of Moses.  They are Gentile Christians and cannot become Jews by circumcision.  Circumcision simply changes their appearance they remain Gentile Christians and proves only that they trust more in the Law of Moses than in the Gospel of Christ.

Paul says in verse three that if you take part of God's law you have to take all of God's law.  You can't just take that which fits your need or suits your fancy.  You must take all of God's law not just a portion of it, law and grace,  the whole not only a portion!  Verse 4 tells us how wrong we are if we think that just the law will bring us to Christ; it is the whole that is needed!  Verses five to eight tell us that the righteousness that we as Believers hope for is in Christ only!  It is not of the flesh, which is in the works of the law, but instead it comes by the Spirit of God by faith in Christ.  We are saved by faith not by works.  All those attempting to find sanctification through their good deeds will be lost because nothing else matters other than believing in Christ.  We first believe in Christ and then couple our faith in Him with love and this produces works.  But works alone do not produce salvation.  Paul says they were living the right life but then someone came in with false teaching and led them astray.  This teaching, as Paul says, did not come from Christ.  In verse nine Paul says that it only takes one small falsehood to corrupt the whole.  If you place a moldy piece of bread in a fresh loaf it will only take a short time before the mold spreads to the rest of the loaf.  When you tell one lie you need another lie to cover the first lie.  Paul shows us in verse 10 that he has the faith that they will return back to that which they know to be right and they will then regain the grace of God.  Verse 11 has Paul again defending himself by saying if the rumors spread about him teaching circumcision were true than why would he still be persecuted by the Jews!  In verse 12 Paul wishes those that continually badger and tell rumors about him would be cut off from the church instead of preaching falsehoods amongst the people.

Total freedom is what Paul speaks of in verse 13.  He says they have been called into total freedom from the law.  And he adds also that freedom without limits though will cause nothing but problems.  Freedom with rules and definite limits will cause growth and strength.  Verse 14 gives a one-word description of the whole of God; LOVE!  Love everyone as you would love your self (Romans 13:8-10).  In verse 15 we are told that when we as Believers fall prey to backbiting attitudes we not only destroy people around us but we destroy self also.  Paul says in verses 16 to 26 that if we walk by the Spirit the flesh will not defeat us and win out in our life.  The flesh and the Spirit oppose one another and if we are in the Spirit then we are not under the law.  If we truly belong to Christ then we should have given up the flesh.  If we live by the Spirit we should also walk by it not being boastful and frivolous.  Our inner being should reflect outwardly that which controls it.  If we allow our self to be controlled by the Spirit we will conform to the character of Christ.  But if we rally in vainglory  empty wishes and praise for self puffing up our own pride we do nothing for anyone especially nothing for God.   We also need to be sure not to walk in jealousy having envy towards others.  We should strive towards walking humble and gracious before the Lord.

Father, keep me always humble before You and always gracious of everything You give unto me. Father, I thank You for loving me so much that You forgive me when I make stupid mistakes and love me when I feel worthless.  Thank You for giving me the Holy Spirit to allow me to walk righteous before You!  I love You God!

Where Jesus is Lord!
Living Vine Ministries
Pastor Thomas Miles

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