5:13-21
Ob and In:
1. The 2 categories that are in opposition to each other:
v.13-14 free to indulge your flesh (bite and devour one another/consumed by one another) vs free to love and serve (love your neighbor)
v.16-26 led vy the Spirit vs carry out the desires of the flesh
Note, both pairs include the flesh. There is overlap of free to love and led by the Spirit. The importance of love cannot be overestimate in our sanctification.
On the other hand, the flesh will totally destroy not only ourselves but our church. It is especially dangerous if we indulge in it or let it get loose (free to do it).
2. The descriptions of the flesh are further explained in v.16-21:
a. the "carrying out of the the desires of the flesh" v.16-17. The flesh is humanized as someone who has a desire and make us do things that we do not want v.17. Also, in v.17, "those are in opposition to each other," that means, when we carry it out the desire of the flesh we are like "helpers" to our enemies in our own camp. We are their under covered spies.
b. The desires when carrying out become our "works of the flesh" in v.19-21a. They are obvious, or they were clearly not from the Spirit (BKC). In other words, when we are doing these things, we cannot claim that we are led by the Spirit.
c. (BKC) The listed sins are commonly seen to fall into four categories. v.19 three sexual sins; v.20a two religious sins; v.20b-21a Eight societal evils; v.21b Two sins associated with alcohol fall in a fourth category of evils.
From the freedom to indulge in flesh to the problem of love and finally to the leading of the enemies of the Spirit, these sins are related. The sexual sins are sins related to our marital love; the religious sins related to our failure to love God; the societal sins related to our failure to love in the church; and the "alcoholic" sin related to our indulge in flesh.
Where am I in this battle?
22-26
1. The theme of Spirit and love from v.13, 16, 18 repeats in v.22 the fruit of the Spirit is love. The work/deed of the flesh are obvious. Now the Spirit also will have outcome. They may not be "work or deed" but some inward characters, and these characters are related to how we serve one another and love neighbor as yourself v.13-14.
Reflection: Love cannot be overestimate in our spiritual living. It is the first in the list of the outcome of one who live by the Spirit. How is my relationship with brothers and sisters? Is love my number one character?
2. Question: Why did Paul mention about law in both v.18, and 23? Is it because the Galatians had the wrong view of the law in justification and sanctification?
3. Verb related with the Spirit
live by the Spirit=BDAG to live in a transcendent sense, live, of the sanctified life of a child of God
behave in accordance with the Spiritv.24= BDAG to be in line with a pers. or thing considered as standard for one’s conduct, hold to, agree with, follow, conform
led by the Spirit v.18=BDAG allow oneself to be led/guided...morally or spiritually, to be encouraged (in the direction of)
live by the Spirit v.16=BDAG to conduct one’s life, comport oneself, behave, live as habit of conduct; fig with the Spirit as the circumstance, kind, or manner
Summary and Reflection: Believers have crucified the flesh with Christ. That is a fact. If that is a fact and we live by the Spirit then we should be in line with the Spirit and have the outcome of the Spirit. Spirit is on standard that I should check my self to see if I am in line with the Spirit. Do I hear the Spirit when it lead or guide me? If yes, how often? Is the Spirit way of life a habit of my life that I am considered, "living by the Spirit?"
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