4 Lesson on Freedom from Galatians 5
What is freedom? Our culture today seems to think that freedom comes from being able to do whatever you want and to have whatever you want. But is that what freedom really is? Galatians 5 is all about freedom and has some answers to these questions.
Paul starts out the chapter reminding the Galatians that Christ has set us free, so stop being subject to slavery. At the beginning of Galatians, Paul tells the church he is concerned about them abandoning the true gospel for a false gospel. A big discussion throughout the book is the issue of circumcision and following the Mosaic Law. In chapter 5, Paul explains that those who are circumcised seek to be justified by the Law. However, we were called to freedom in order to love our neighbors as ourselves, and we are to walk by the Spirit, not the flesh. The Spirit and the flesh are in opposition, and those led by the Spirit are not under the Law.
You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough. I have confidence in you in the Lord that you will adopt no other view; but the one who is disturbing you will bear his judgment, whoever he is. Galatians 5:7-10 (NASB)
Doesn’t this passage feel relatable to our day? Our culture does not value truth, and the church that was once running well has been hindered from obeying the truth. What stands out in these few verses is that the persuasion to not obey the truth did not come from God. It is so important to remember, especially in these days where evil is called good and lies are being promoted, that lies are never from God. We must guard our hearts and minds by being in the Word, which is truth (John 17:17) and spending time with our Savior who is truth (John 16:4). What happens when we know the truth? It sets us free.
So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” John 8:31-32
Paul tells us that we are called to freedom, but what is the purpose for our freedom? Is it to do and have whatever we want?
For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. Galatians 5:13-15
The purpose of our freedom is to love our neighbors. This chapter alludes back to the question Jesus received about which commandment was the greatest, and He replied to love God with our whole being, and the second is to love our neighbor as ourselves (see Matthew 22:36-40). Christ did not set us free so that we could focus on loving our selves and keeping His grace to ourselves. We are called to imitate Christ and humbly serve others to the glory of God (see Philippians 2:3-11).
Galatians 5 continues on describing the war between our flesh and the Spirit.
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Galatians 5:16-18
The fruit of the Spirit is something most Christians are familiar with, but we often forget to read the verses before 22 and 23. What are the deeds of the flesh?
Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21
It’s tempting to think of “deeds of the flesh” as big things like murder and theft. But if we look at this list, we see jealousy, disputes, envying, impurity, a bunch of attributes that by themselves may seem small, but together create huge problems. Participating in sin is often termed freedom by the world, but it is really a prison. It separates people from the kingdom of God, and it keeps people from loving God and their neighbor.
So how do we live in true freedom? By living by the Spirit, which produces the fruit of the Spirit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-25
When we live and walk by the Spirit, it produces the attributes of God in us. One important comparison made in this chapter is that both living in unrestrained sin and living in legalism to the Law are forms of slavery – they offer no freedom. Just as the deeds of the flesh keep us from loving God and loving our neighbor, legalism to the Law keeps us from loving God and loving our neighbor. This was evident in the lives of the Pharisees. The Pharisees kept the Mosaic Law, plus all their added regulations to a T. But in so doing, they neglected to love their neighbor, to the point of being angry when Jesus did miraculous healings (see John 9), and they were focused on self-righteousness rather than loving God (Matt. 23:28).
Both “the circumcision” and the “deeds of the flesh” are self-centered ways of living. The “circumcision” way of life says, “I can earn my righteousness,” while the “deeds of the flesh” way of life is me-centered, saying “I only have one life so I might as well live it up.” Neither lifestyle enables us to love God and our neighbor.
The fruit of the Spirit, on the other hand, is the exact opposite of both ways of living. The fruit of the Spirit is others-focused and God-pleasing, and only the Holy Spirit can produce these attributes in us. To live by the Spirit, we must belong to Christ and have crucified the flesh (see Gal. 2:20 and 5:24). These attributes are called fruit; they are products of the Spirit. We do not muster up love, joy, peace, etc. in our own strength so that the Spirit will fill us. Fruit cannot be produced without the tree. If we want to have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, we must abide in Christ, be indwelled with the Spirit, and allow Him to produce His fruit in us.
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. John 15:4-5
The fruit of the Spirit is not a result of our works but a result of abiding in and walking by the Spirit.
In summary, Galatians 5 teaches us that freedom is:
1: Knowing the truth. Get in the Bible and get to know Jesus who is truth.
2: Meant for us to love our neighbor as ourselves.
3: NOT produced through deeds of the flesh or through our own strength.
4: IS produced by living and walking by the Spirit.
Let us pursue freedom together this year – let’s get in the Word, spend time in prayer, and allow the Holy Spirit to work through us to love our neighbor as ourselves. Shine bright!
With love,
Kelsey
