Liberty, Not Bondage

Turning the corner, Paul moves toward practical application of his message of liberty

Stand Fast, Galatians 5:1-6

Galatians 5:1–6 NKJV

1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

Legalism is hard labor (“yoke”), 1

Legalism is unprofitable labor, 2

Legalism is exhausting labor, 3-4

you have to keep the whole law, 3

you are estranged from Christ, 4 (“estrange” = to reduce to inactivity. You don’t lose your salvation just any relational expression or benefit of it)

Legalism is frustrating labor, 5-6

The spirit says wait eagerly, not work doggedly, 5

Reality says faith matters, not law, 6

Run Well, Galatians 5:7-10

Galatians 5:7–10 NKJV

7 You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is.

What hinders you? 7-9

not the Spirit, 7

leaven = the world around you and within you, 8

What helps you? 10

The confidence of others

The person/position of the Lord

The consistency of reason

The judgement of digression (both active judgement and passive consequence)

The irrelevance of legalists personally (History does not remember who they were)

Listen Carefully, Galatians 5:11-12

Galatians 5:11–12 NKJV

11 And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased. 12 I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off!

An implied assertion, 11

Some were trying to say Paul agreed with their legalism

But if Paul agreed, whey was he being persecuted?

An asserted implication, 12

get circumcised, get mutilated (physically)

get out of the church altogether (spiritually)

Love Others, Galatians 5:13-15

Galatians 5:13–15 NKJV

13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!

You are invited to liberty

liberty does not equal license

liberty does equal opportunity

opportunity to love others (rather than judge them)

opportunity to serve others (rather than serving the law)

opportunity to actually fulfill the spirit of the law

opportunity to be whole rather than being wholly devoured

Conclusion

Legalism binds us to a life of judging ourselves and others that is doomed to always fall short of the legal requirements of the law. Liberty frees us to actually live a better life and fulfill the spirit of the law.

Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament Chapter 5

“Your doctrine of grace and liberty is dangerous!” Paul’s enemies argued. “Why, if Christians are free from the Law, they will live wicked lives! We need the Law to control them!” So people have argued down through the centuries, little realizing that grace, not law, is the greatest teacher and “controller” in the world (Titus 2:11–12).

Titus 2:11–12 NKJV

11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,