Bible Study - Freedom - Personal Service - Galatians 5 and 6 - July 31, 2011

Bible Study – Freedom – Personal Service – July 31, 2011
This is our final lesson in our series entitled “Freedom: Making It Personal.”
Our scripture is Galatians 5:13-16, 22-26; 6:7-10.

The Apostle Paul was writing to the Christians in Galatia about freedom. The Judaizers were telling the Gentiles who had accepted CHRIST by faith that they had to also obey the law. There was also another group called the “libertines” who believed those who had accepted CHRIST were free to do whatever they pleased.
Since they were secure in CHRIST then live it up.

Christians are free but with freedom comes responsibility. Paul addressed an important issue that all Christians face, which is the rule of the flesh versus the rule of the Spirit in their lives. When the flesh rules, it leads to a whole list of actions and attitudes contrary to having the right relationship with CHRIST. Paul gave this list in Galatians 5:19-21:
19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious:[2][3] sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, 21 envy,[4] drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar, about which I tell you in advance—as I told you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
The libertines likely looked upon these flesh things as a part of being a human. Since a Christian was free, he/she could indulge in them because they were part of their nature as a human. Paul gave the Christians in Galatia another list which reflected the attributes of walking in the Spirit. Walking in the Spirit is living in the Spirit. It is a normal way of life.

Paul addressed the flesh versus the Spirit. The question all Christians need to ask themselves, “Does my walk match my talk?” The only way that can be accomplished is through the right relationship with CHRIST and empowered by the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT.

Christians are grafted into the vine/CHRIST at the moment of salvation. They can allow sin to block this union such that HIS power cannot flow through them to grow and mature into healthy vibrant Christians.

When Christians have a healthy union with CHRIST, HIS love flows from HIM through them. This is agape love, which is self-giving love.

Let’s read Galatians 5:13-15: (My inserts)
13 For you are called to freedom, brothers (Fellow Christians); only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh (like the libertines teach), but serve one another through love (which is provided through your union with CHRIST). 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself.[1] 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.

Paul was telling his readers that Christians were called to freedom to serve GOD but not to serve the flesh. Freedom from sin and death was to free a Christian from the shackles of sin’s bondage to serve GOD through his/her relationship with CHRIST as directed by the HOLY SPIRIT.

Paul directed his readers to consider that the entire law was summed up in Leviticus 19:18 - 18 Do not take revenge or bear a grudge against members of your community,[21] but love your neighbor as yourself;[22] I am the LORD.

In Mathew 22:34-40, JESUS responded to a question HE was asked by a Pharisee - 34 When the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they came together in the same place. 35 And one of them, an expert in the law, asked a question to test Him: 36 “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”[12]37 He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.[13] 38 This is the greatest and most important[14]commandment. 39 The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.[15] 40 All the Law and the Prophets depend[16]on these two commandments.”

The love of GOD resulting from our relationship with HIM flows from us to others. That is why having the right relationship with HIM is vital. When Christians are grafted into the vine (CHRIST), HIS self-giving love is a natural flow from HIM to others. This is a part of the sanctification process. Christians have rough edges that need to be smoothed, which is done by walking in the Spirit.

We see in verse 15, that Christians were using their mouths to devour each other over varying Spiritual matters. In essence, he was saying, “So quit bickering, seek truth and live the truth. Evaluate your life by measuring it against the love CHRIST had for you when HE gave HIS life on the cross for you. This was self-giving love or agape love that can only come from GOD.”

Let’s read Galatians 5:16-18:
16 I say then, • walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Paul may have anticipated that some Christians would say, “But I am a weak Christian because the desires of the flesh are so strong. The libertines tell us that since we are Christians housed in a body of flesh, we can follow the desires of our flesh.” Paul, in essence, said, “Do not focus on the flesh because you are dead to the flesh (our last week’s study). You are to walk in the Spirit. When you walk in the Spirit you will be led by GOD and not the desires of the flesh.”

Paul tells us that the desires of the flesh are against the leadership of the HOLY SPIRIT. A Christian cannot serve two (2) masters – flesh and the Spirit. Each has different and conflicting desires. If you desire to walk in the flesh you are under the law and will be judged accordingly. If you walk in the Spirit and are led by the Spirit you are truly free because the HOLY SPIRIT will never lead you into things contrary to the will of GOD. When a Christian is in right relationship with CHRIST, then he/she is always in the center of the will of GOD.

In our next scripture, Paul gives us a list of attributes which reflect evidence of the working of the HOLY SPIRIT in our lives.

Let’s read Galatians 5:22-26:
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,[5] 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, we must also follow the Spirit. 26 We must not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Paul gave his readers a list of things produced by a life that obeys the desires of the flesh in verses 19-21. In this scripture, he gave them a list of the attributes of a life led by the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT.

First, note that he used the word “fruit.” It is not fruits but one fruit yielding a variety of attributes. Also, that fruit has a seed inside that is capable of bearing more fruit when planted in the right soil and in the right conditions. Therefore, when our lives reveal the fruit of the SPIRIT, it plants the seed in the lives of others. Just as GOD’S Word is a seed that is planted in our hearts to produce a Spiritual crop to the glory of GOD, when it falls upon good ground, so is the seed produced by the fruit of the Spirit.

Paul gave his readers and us today a list of nine (9) attributes of lives led by the HOLY SPIRIT. He began with love. Paul had in mind self-giving love or agape love. Agape love gives without demanding anything in return. This is not saying that Christians are to be door mats.

When I think of agape love, other than what CHRIST did by giving HIS life for us while we were still sinners, I think of my loving wife. To me she is my earthly example of agape love.

Love – When Christians love (agape) it is the same love that GOD and CHRIST have for us. To me love, “ah la” agape, is not a bend over backwards, step on me type of love. It is an honest deep caring love that deals with a situation honestly. GOD loves all humans with agape love but HE also gives all a choice – heaven or hell. Accept CHRIST and receive all the benefits of being HIS child or reject CHRIST and suffer the consequences.

JESUS tells us in John 5:24 - 24 “I assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.

John 3:16-18 - 16 “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His • One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.[10] 17 For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the • One and Only Son of God.

John 14:6 - 6 Jesus told him (Thomas), “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

John 10:10 - 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (KJV)

GOD gives all people a choice. HE has unconditional love for all and the freedom to choose. Who do you choose – CHRIST or Satan?

Love asks the question, provides an accurate account of the consequences and gives the opportunity but leaves the choice to the individual.

Joy – Is that which comes from having an intimate relationship with GOD through CHRIST. This joy is not dependent upon pleasant circumstances. It is the internal knowing and awareness of a loving SAVIOR regardless of the circumstances. It is an awareness of the indwelling presence of GOD and being secure in HIM. What joy that our salvation and the salvation of others brings. It is overwhelming.

Peace – Is connected to joy. Peace is peace of mind and Spirit. It is peace in the midst of the storms of life because we are secure in CHRIST. It is like the peace JESUS had when HE was fast asleep in a boat during a storm on the sea that frightened HIS seafaring disciples. HE was at peace that HIS FATHER was in control.

Patience – Is longsuffering – No one likes to suffer. Longsuffering is not suffering, it is patience. It is the opposite to those who have short-tempers. (Ouch!! That steps on my foot.) Those who have this character do not explode with anger.

Kindness – Is gentleness. It is an attribute of agape love that leads Christians to forgive those who hurt them. This is very hard to do without having the right relationship with GOD through CHRIST.

Goodness – Describes a Christian’s attitude toward others. It is an attribute of agape love.

Faith – Is a vital ingredient in obediently serving GOD. It is responding to the call of GOD without hesitation. It is built upon the fact that we know and trust GOD such that when HE says act, we act. And just as important, when HE says stop, we stop.

Gentleness – Is meekness. I used to think of meekness as weakness. It is far from that notion. I read once that meekness is having the power to do something but the self–control not to use it unless needed. It is like a mighty horse. It has great power and it is ready for action but waits upon its rider to say giddy-up. Christians have the power of GOD in their lives but wait upon HIM to lead them into action. When HE says move, we are to respond.

I recall the story of a young lady kidnapped by a serial killer placed her in the trunk of his car. She said something to the effect, “If there is a GOD, please help me now.” The cords which bound her were broken. She found the latch in the trunk of the car and popped it open. The killer saw the trunk lid flapping. She closed it when the killer pulled over to check the trunk. He checked it and it was closed. He got back into his car and tried to leave but got stuck. She popped the trunk and ran. The killer jumped out of the car and chased her with a machete. It so happened that two (2) either former or current Marines just happened to be coming down this dirt road in a truck as she ran from her would be killer. She was naked from the waist down. The killer saw the vehicle coming toward her and got back in his car and sped off. She is the only survivor I think of eight (8) women who were brutally killed.

GOD is great and comes to our aid in times of need. I know there will be other stories where HE did not. I cannot explain why HE didn’t. Only HE knows and that is when we have to trust in HIS sovereignty. If you get in a bad situation, ask GOD to help you. If you are a Christian, claim the blood of JESUS. There is power in the shed blood of JESUS.

Self-control - Is temperance. We are GOD’S Sons or Daughters and HE is our FATHER. It is living life under GOD’S control and not us flying off in our own direction. GOD dwells within us and we are the temple of the HOLY SPIRIT.
These attributes of the HOLY SPIRIT working within a life comes from within and not the result of obeying the law.

The fruit of the Spirit is manifested through lives in right relationship with HIM, which are lives surrendered (dead to self) to HIM – “Here I am LORD, use me.” Fruit is produced as Christians go through the process of sanctification in everyday life. This is where we get to really know GOD. Christians are to consider that they are dead to the influence and control of sin. Their human spirit is considered dead but their born-again Spirit is alive to obediently serve GOD by walking (living daily) in the Spirit. Paul said it best in Galatians 2:19-20 - 19 For through the law I have died to the law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; 20 and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the flesh,[10] I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Our part is to walk in the Spirit. Walking in the Spirit is a way of life. It is not focusing on, “Am I producing fruit in my life?” You will produce fruit when you walk in the Spirit with GOD. An apple tree or a peach tree does not have to worry about producing apples or peaches. They bear their intended fruit. Others may see the fruit in our lives before we do or we may never see the fruit until judgment day. It does not matter. What matters is obediently serving GOD as HE directs and being willing to respond when HE issues the invitation.

How do we recognize invitation? Dr. Henry Blackaby puts it best in “Experiencing God” published by LifeWay Press, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37235-0175, “When you see the Father at work around you, that is your invitation to adjust your life to Him and join Him in that work.”

When GOD works in our lives, we are not to become conceited or to think more highly of ourselves than those not as “Spiritual.” Satan uses every trick in the book to damage the witness of those obediently walking in the Spirit. That is why a healthy relationship with CHRIST is vital and gives the Christian balance. When GOD works through other Christians, sometimes we may think that HE is working through them in a mightier way than through us. Don’t be fooled or misled.

Whatever GOD calls you to do is just as important to HIM and HIS plan and purpose as those things which we as humans consider to be greater or showier. Remember GOD considers a cup of cold water very important. It is not the perceived size of GOD’S call from a human perspective but the obedience of the heart responding.

Let’s read Galatians 6:7-10:
7 Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows he will also reap, 8 because the one who sows to his flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. 9 So we must not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, we must work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.

Satan is a deceiver and lies. Paul used an example to which his readers could relate, farming. When you sow wheat, you get wheat. When you sow tomato seed you get a tomato plant that produces tomatoes. The seed you put into the ground yields a crop. When a person, Christian or non-Christian sows seed, he/she will reap what he/she plants – good or bad. Sowing is doing. It is an action and all people sow seeds and reap the crop. If Christians want to reap a Spiritual crop, then they are to walk in the Spirit.

Christians are living each day. They are either led by the SPIRIT or by their own desires. When they are in right relationship with CHRIST e.g. grafted into the vine, then the natural result is fruit of the Spirit. An apple tree does not have to worry and work hard to try to produce apples. It is an apple tree and it naturally produces apples. It is the same with a Spirit led Christian. He/she needs to abide in CHRIST and allow HIS life to flow through him/her and he/she will produce fruit of the Spirit. Stay connected to the vital nutrients.

GOD’S Word is seed. The stuff we feed or allow into our minds are also seeds – television, movies, internet, literature, sensual, unhealthy or corrupt things dwelled upon and the list goes on and on. Meditate upon GOD’S Word, talk to HIM in prayer and walk with HIM in the Spirit on a moment by moment basis. Allow the Spirit led life to become the natural result of the sanctification process, which is for Christians to be made into the image of CHRIST.

Our human nature likes to see results, now. When we walk in the Spirit, time and timing are vital. Once a seed is planted it needs to die and be transformed into a living plant, which will bear fruit. Seeds need the proper soil, water, sunlight, and nutrients. It takes time. Christians are to wait upon GOD and not loose heart because they do not see immediate results. In due time there will be a harvest that glorifies GOD. This applies to their own lives, to the lives of others and the things GOD calls them to accomplish.

This is especially true of fellow believers. Often, we work with folks, especially those with addictions who take one step forward and three steps backwards. We are not to lose heart but press toward the final goal.

Freedom in CHRIST comes with responsibility. Christians are free to do whatever they please but they are accountable for their actions and the consequences for their sins. They reap what they sow, good or bad. They will always be GOD’S Sons or Daughters which will never change but GOD rewards obedience. Rewards are stored in the heavenly treasury.

Stay connected to the true vine, CHRIST, so that vital Spiritual nutrients will flow from HIM to you, and you will bear much fruit. It is all about having and maintaining the right relationship with CHRIST. The vine connected to the branches produces the fruit, which is part of the natural process of a healthy relationship. Abide in that knowledge and rest in HIM as HE works through you. Blessings.