Led by the Spirit, Not under Law
Notes
Transcript
Led by the Spirit, Not under Law
Led by the Spirit, Not under Law
Today will be a bit different, we are going to open a new series, but I am going to make room for some Q&A too, based on our series on John’s letters and what has been happening lately.
That said, let’s do a bit of Q&A first.
Question & Response
Okay, here is where we are going to go next.
Galatians 5
Galatians is a book that Paul writes to the church because the church is experiencing a conflict between Jewish and non-Jewish believers.
More than that, information about the Hebrew Bible is spreading among the churches and they are struggling to figure out if they are supposed to follow Torah in what we call the Old Testament.
It is a debate that still occurs today.
It centers on a particular verse that has been a foundational principle in Protestant Christianity.
But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
When you read this for the first time, it is a bit of a shock.
This concept should contribute to the work of ‘Christian Formation.’
But what does Paul mean when he writes this?
Do we simply ignore the Torah?
What about what Jesus commanded us to do?
For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
To me, that sounds like a command, like a law.
And apparently there are things we can do that put heaven at risk
envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Well, what are those things?
If I am free from the law, then how can my behavior affect my future salvation, or can it?
And the opposite is true too.
If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
It seems there is something we are expected to do, but somehow Paul does not consider it a law.
How does that work.
And what is Paul’s core point?
Is he trying to teach me something I am supposed to believe?
Or does he want me to do something for myself and others?
(Hint, it is the latter)
My hope is that we can cover some practical things that you can use during your day and incorporate into your life without making you feel bad. (Tricky)