Set Free from Performance Based Christianity

Introduction: Lion King

Galatians 5:6 CSB

6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision accomplishes anything; what matters is faith working through love.

The Galatians allowed their opposition to convince them that they were not true people of God. Therefore, they tried to appease them by being circumcised. I wonder how many of you are struggling to meet other people’s impossible expectations, so it only makes sense to you that God is never going to be pleased with your hard work?

I have learned from playing Division One football that, no matter how hard you work, or how much you sacrifice, you are one mistake away from losing your position. You are one injury away from being just a name in from the past. I was stressed and constantly worried because I was trying my best as a young kid but it was never enough to secure my future. My only solution to the problem was to work harder, to work myself senseless in hopes that it would end the disappointment. If i just try harder, I will stop letting my coaches and my family down. Has anyone else been in this position before. Many of us have transferred this vicious cycle into our relationship with God.

We feel like we keep letting Him down, so we try harder, only to find ourselves disappointing God more because we can never seem to get it right. We toil so much, hoping that God will finally approve of us.

What can break us from the cycle of never being able to do enough?

Christs death on the cross and His resurrection on our behalf puts a smile on God’s face towards us. Christ took care of the sin problem that we or the law could not get rid of. Though we sill never get it right, Christ got it right on our behalf.

Galatians 5:16–25 CSB

16 I say, then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly 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. 19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these things—as I warned you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

v.16- I noticed that the original language in the greek is in the singular, for the word “desire”, not the plural. So, this shows that the desire of the flesh is singular. Paul does not seem be highlighting the action of sin, rather he wants to expose the motive of the flesh. In other words, he highlights the thirst of our sinful nature that can never be quenched, especially by works of the law.

v.18- If we are led by the Spirit then, we are no longer under the law. New Covenant believers are not under the law but they are guided by the Holy Spirit. Many people debate if Paul is referring to the ceremonial law, but I think Paul is talking about the Law of Moses/Ten Commandment Law. God gave the practice of circumcision before the Law was even given. Also, Circumcision was given as a sign of righteousness by faith, not a criteria to earn righteousness.

Christianity is not task list. It is not about managing sin or keeping score with God. Christianity is about inward transformation. The last time I preached, I shared my experience with wanting to stay abstinent until marriage. The truth of the matter is, at one point this decision had to nothing with loving Jesus, it was motivated our of my fear, anxiety, and insecurity. I didn’t think an girls even wanted me because I was so broken by being bullied. “So, what does this have to do with the text Chaplain?”

You can follow the rules because you are told to, but you can not legislate love. I desire to be so filled with God’s Spirit that I live my life out of love for Him and not because I am trying to keep the rules.

v.22- Notice that the “fruit” of the Spirit is singular. When we think about fruit, we understand that with proper nourishment, fruit grows and provides nutrients to the body. As we are connected to the Spirit, the spirit produces fruit. In other words, the Spirit does not produce works, He produces virtue. All of our goodness, all of our deeds, all of our christlikeness is an overflow of the virtue that the Spirit produces in us.

v.23-

Chaplain, since we are not governed by the law, does this mean that I get to live how I want to live? This question alone shows a mis-understanding of God’s love that needs to be cleared up. Let’s recite the fruit (singular) that is produced by the Spirit.

“The law is not against such things.” There is no need for the law when The Spirit bears fruit that causes a person to live out the character of God. His guidance does not contradict the law, causing a person top live reckless. Instead, v.24 happens.

v.24- Those who are in Christ, do not live for themselves, they live for Christ. “They have crucified sinful passions and desires through repentance. The new person in Christ is not perfect, but that person has a fire that burns for Him. By virtue of the Spirit, we fulfill the heart behind the law, while becoming more like Jesus.

v.25- How are we supposed to live in light of not being under the law? We keep in step with the spirit. The Spirit will never misguide or give us the wring directions.

I don’t think there is a better experience as a Soldier than to march to a cadence, especially when the formation is in harmony

[Illustrate keeping in step with the Spirit by calling a cadence]

When we keep in step, with the cadence caller, we march out the cadence callers intent.

In basic training, we marched everywhere. When it was time to eat we marched to the DFAC. In order to there, we had to be in harmony. So, that means even the Soldiers who had two left feet had to get it right eventually.

“Chaplain, I keep slipping and messing up.” Like the Soldiers with two left feet, they could not march to save their lives, but overtime as they continued to march, and get in synch with the cadence caller, they began to find a new rhythm. As you continue to learn the voice of the God, you will continue to grow in His virtue.

Conclusion: Simba’s Reflection