The theme of freedom rings loud and clear in Galatians. This is a wonderful day to discuss freedom since today is the 4th of July. Freedom is an important message from Paul since everything else is counter to God’s desire and his provision for us.
- VS 1-4 - Paul begins this chapter with a strong declaration of independence from the law and performance-based faith. And he reminds us that it is Christ himself who fought the battle for our freedom and won it on the cross. If we have accepted his grace, then we’ve been set free. He pleads with us not to allow ourselves to go back to the slavery of legalism. Then he boldly states that anything else is futile. Even Christ cannot help those who are depending on some sort of performance to make them right with him. It is Christ blood and gift of free grace… nothing more… nothing less.
- VS 7-10 - These versus provide both a comfort and a warning. There is a warning here to us that one or two bad influences among a body can be a cancer. We must be watchful and protective of the body God has called us to be a part of. Anyone who threatens the peace and stability of the body needs to be reckoned with. However, Paul reminds us that those who spread trouble will answer to God. We don’t have to be God… we just need to protect what he has given us… freedom and truth.
- VS 11-12 - TOUGH TALK from Paul. We’ve reached a point in the American church and culture where it’s frowned upon to speak frankly. But Paul had no such qualms here as he openly declared that he wished this Judaizers that were trying to get the Galatians to submit to circumcision would just castrate themselves. Hmmm… wonder where he stood on this issue?
- VS 13-18 - While we have freedom, freedom isn’t a blank check to live a sinful life since God will forgive. This is the sticking point for many on this issue. Because if we truly have freedom, then why wouldn’t we just go live like we want to? So, there must still be rules that keep us in check. That’s the trap of legalism. But Paul reminds us that freedom compels us to fulfill the underlying principle of the law… to love one another and serve them well. In the end, our freedom isn’t just a freedom “FROM SOMETHING“… it is a freedom “TO SOMETHING“. Our freedom is a freedom to follow Christ, to live by the spirit, to say no to the flesh and yes to the surrendered life, to experience the fullness of life not based on possessions but by contentment.
- VS 19-26 - Paul concludes this chapter with two lists of identifiers - One list identifies the life that is lived for self and according to the flesh. The other identifies those who have said yes to living by the Spirit of God. One brings bondage, destruction and death. The other brings peace, satisfaction and life. That’s true freedom. The freedom to live by the flesh is not freedom at all. The freedom that comes from following the spirit is real liberty.
On this 4th of July celebration day, reclaim the liberty and freedom that is only found in following Christ.











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