5:13-26
Main statement:
5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity to indulge your flesh, but through love serve one another
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is one with freedom. Therefore, Paul explained here what is freedom, and the most important idea is it is NOT an opportunity to indulge your flesh.
In v.14-26 Paul taught the Galatians church 2 ways to guarantee them not to live by the flesh.
(1) love one another v.14-15, 26
(2) live by the Spirit v.16-26
5:16 But I say, live by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh.
Because what the Spirit has desires opposed what the flesh does v.17, 24. This seems to be very simple, the right is opposite to the wrong. However, this is not what Paul meant. The Spirit is not a moral code like the Law v.18.
v.19a The works of the flesh are obvious...
(NET) “In Paul’s thought esp., all parts of the body constitute a totality known as flesh, which is dominated by sin to such a degree that wherever flesh is, all forms of sin are like. present, and no good thing can live in the flesh.
v.22a But the fruit of the Spirit is...
The word for "fruit" can be used to describe the offspring or the children of the body of the father (Luke 1:42, Acts 2:30). The Spirit bears children or fruit. We do not follow a moral code, but we have the Spirit Who lives inside of us and will tell us what to do. We need to follow the voice of the Spirit.
5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also behave in accordance with the Spirit.
Reflection: No one can tell us what is the desire of the Spirit until we live by the Spirit or walk according to the Spirit. The Spirit leads us and guides us. It is obvious that if we live in sexual immorality, impurity, etc (v.19-21) that we are not led by the Spirit. It is obvious. Have you been guided by the Spirit? Do you follow and behave in accordance with the Spirit?
Instead of spending our energy to think how not to live by the flesh. Paul told us to focus and think how to follow the Spirit. Have a heart ready to follow Spirit and you will bear the fruit.
Audrey
Main statement:
5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity to indulge your flesh, but through love serve one another
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is one with freedom. Therefore, Paul explained here what is freedom, and the most important idea is it is NOT an opportunity to indulge your flesh.
In v.14-26 Paul taught the Galatians church 2 ways to guarantee them not to live by the flesh.
(1) love one another v.14-15, 26
(2) live by the Spirit v.16-26
5:16 But I say, live by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh.
Because what the Spirit has desires opposed what the flesh does v.17, 24. This seems to be very simple, the right is opposite to the wrong. However, this is not what Paul meant. The Spirit is not a moral code like the Law v.18.
v.19a The works of the flesh are obvious...
(NET) “In Paul’s thought esp., all parts of the body constitute a totality known as flesh, which is dominated by sin to such a degree that wherever flesh is, all forms of sin are like. present, and no good thing can live in the flesh.
v.22a But the fruit of the Spirit is...
The word for "fruit" can be used to describe the offspring or the children of the body of the father (Luke 1:42, Acts 2:30). The Spirit bears children or fruit. We do not follow a moral code, but we have the Spirit Who lives inside of us and will tell us what to do. We need to follow the voice of the Spirit.
5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also behave in accordance with the Spirit.
Reflection: No one can tell us what is the desire of the Spirit until we live by the Spirit or walk according to the Spirit. The Spirit leads us and guides us. It is obvious that if we live in sexual immorality, impurity, etc (v.19-21) that we are not led by the Spirit. It is obvious. Have you been guided by the Spirit? Do you follow and behave in accordance with the Spirit?
Instead of spending our energy to think how not to live by the flesh. Paul told us to focus and think how to follow the Spirit. Have a heart ready to follow Spirit and you will bear the fruit.
Audrey
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