Holding Fast to Grace: The Danger of Legalism

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Lesson #9 - Galatians Chapter 5 | Pastor Kenny Burge Jr | February 9th, 2025

Holding Fast to Grace: The Danger of Legalism

Breakdown

Today’s Text: Galatians 5

5:1 For freedom, Christ set us free. Stand firm, then, and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery.

·      Christ’s sacrifice offers us the freedom from the Law’s condemnation.

·      Remember, the Law serves as a mirror, reflecting our sinfulness and highlighting the urgent need for salvation.

·      Once a person is saved, they should stand without moving and not go back to the Law which showed them they were slaves in the need of salvation.

·      Paul exhorts believers to stand firm and never revert to legalism, which enslaves rather than redeems.

Question: Are we living in the freedom of Christ, or are we still trying to earn God’s favor through works?

5:2 Take note! I, Paul, am telling you that if you get yourselves circumcised, Christ will not benefit you at all.

·      Paul warns that relying solely on circumcision for righteousness contradicts the work of Christ.

·      Justification must be achieved solely through faith.

5:3 Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to do the entire law.

·      If one seeks justification through one aspect of the Law, they must keep the whole Law—a burden impossible to bear.

·      As a side note, Paul is referring to circumcision as a religious act performed under the Law, not merely a medical procedure.

5:4 You who are trying to be justified by the law are alienated from Christ; you have fallen from grace.

·      Paul addresses the Judaizers saying that seeking righteousness apart from Christ by following the Law severs one from grace, as if Jesus’ death wasn’t enough to save.

·      This is a wordplay with circumcision and cut off from Christ.

·      They have fallen from grace implies that without grace, they cannot be saved!

·      True salvation is found exclusively through the cross.

·     Question: What role do works play in a Christian’s walk?

5:5 For we eagerly await through the Spirit, by faith, the hope of righteousness.

·      True believers place their hope in Christ’s promise, trusting the Spirit rather than human effort.

·      Christians are given the rightness of God through Jesus’ sacrifice, and in faith, not works, we believe.

5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision accomplishes anything; what matters is faith working through love.

·      Being circumcised or not being circumcised does not save for both are simply works.

·      External rituals have no bearing on salvation—faith that expresses itself through love is what truly counts.

5:7 You were running well. Who prevented you from being persuaded regarding the truth?

·      Paul likens the Christian Walk to a race, lamenting that false teachers have hindered the Galatians’ progress.

·      They were running well believing the truth of salvation through grace but now are believing the lie that works save.

5:8 This persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.

·      These legalistic teachings are not from God but from deceitful individuals who are leading the Galatians astray. In essence, God is not attempting to guide them back to the Law. Therefore, if it is not God, then who is the true source of this influence?

5:9 A little leaven leavens the whole batch of dough.

·      Even a small amount of false teaching can corrupt an entire community.

·      This church would fall apart if they started teaching the Law (or works) are necessary for salvation.

5:10 I myself am persuaded in the Lord you will not accept any other view. But whoever it is that is confusing you will pay the penalty.

·      Paul expresses unwavering confidence in the Galatians’ eventual return to the truth, yet he warns them that deceivers will face divine judgment for their actions. Question: Are we discerning truth from error? Are we guarding our faith against subtle distortions?

5:11 Now brothers and sisters, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? In that case, the offense of the cross has been abolished.

·      Paul refutes accusations that he still supports circumcision for salvation, emphasizing that the gospel of grace is offensive to legalists.

·      The cross offends the unsaved, so if Paul had claimed that circumcision (adhering to the Law) could save, there would be no need for the cross, and it would cease to be so offensive.

5:12 I wish those who are disturbing you might also let themselves be mutilated!

·      Paul expresses his frustration with the false teachers using strong language, saying just like circumcision – he wishes the false teachers will be cut off.

5:13 For you were called to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.

·      Paul will now begin to shift his argument, asserting that since Christians have been saved by grace and are liberated from the Law, they should apply this freedom to assist one another, rather than causing divisions and conflicts such as the Judaizers.

·      Christian liberty is not a license for immorality but rather an invitation to selfless love and service.

5:14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself.

·      Love is the true fulfillment of God’s Law, as taught by Jesus.

·      They have been saved by the love of Christ who laid down His life for them, so they should likewise love one another.

5:15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.

·      Disunity within the church is destructive; believers must strive for unity.

·      That is why they must cast out the troublemakers who were causing divisions within the church.

5:16 I say, then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh.

·      Living according to the Spirit prevents succumbing to sinful desires.

·      One of these sinful desires is the belief that following the law leads to salvation, which is centered around human pride, the opposite of love.

·      By walking in the Spirit they will not fall into the sin of keeping the Law for salvation.

5:17 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.

·      There is a constant struggle between the sinful nature pushing mankind to save himself apart from Christ’s sacrifice, and the Spirit which calls us to surrender to Christ.

·      Victory comes by surrendering to the Spirit’s guidance.

5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

·      Those who live by the Spirit are not bound by the legalistic demands of the Law.

·      They have been freed from the Law!

5:19 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.

·      The Judaizers, who claim they do not need God’s grace are filled with these sinful works that flow from their flesh.

·      Paul is addressing Christians, warning them that living according to the flesh results in loss of inheritance, not the loss of salvation.

They will still be saved (because they are saved by grace), but they will not receive their inheritance due to their wicked works.

This can be seen in many placed

·      Matthew 25:14–30 (Parable of the Talents)

o   The unfaithful servant was still a servant but lost his reward. He was cast into “outer darkness” which is not Hell but outside the city where the King’s party was. In other words he lost out on his reward and so he had great regret.

·      Ephesians 5:3–5

o   Paul is addressing Christians, and says that if they practice sin they will forfeit their inheritance.

·      1 Corinthians 3:11–15

o   A believer’s works will be tested, and they can suffer loss (of reward/inheritance), though they themselves are still saved.

·      1 John 2:28

o   Some believers will be ashamed at Christ’s return because of their unfaithfulness, showing a loss of reward, not salvation.

5:22 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.

·      The Spirit produces godly virtues in those who submit to Him.

·      No law opposes these righteous qualities, as they fulfill God’s intentions.

·      As Christians we should strive to have these traits.

5:24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

·      Christians, unlike the Judaizers learn to destroy their sinful passions and desires.

o   There are many verses which talk about this struggle, but those who are saved (unlike the Judaizers) will feel conviction and know they should fight their flesh and sinful passions.

§  How is this accomplished – via the Holy Spirit

5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

·      Faith in Christ should lead to daily obedience to the Spirit’s direction.

o   It is foolish to be saved and be out of step with the Spirit (that is why most of Paul’s letters were written to confront Christians who were not obeying the Spirit)

5:26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

·      Paul warns the Christian church the dangers of being prideful or conceited because this would bring bad consequences.

Closing: Timeless Truths from Galatians 5

Salvation is by Grace Alone – We cannot earn righteousness through works.

Legalism is a Threat – Returning to the Law negates the power of Christ’s sacrifice.

Freedom in Christ Must Lead to Love – True faith expresses itself through love, not selfishness.

Walk in the Spirit – The Christian life is victorious when we surrender daily to the Spirit’s guidance.

Sin Has Consequences – While salvation is secure, persistent sin can result in loss of inheritance and reward.

Application Points for Today

1)        Examine Your Faith: Are you trusting in Christ alone, or do you rely on religious rituals?

2)        Reject Legalism: Are you living in the freedom of grace or enslaved by performance-based Christianity?

3)        Pursue the Spirit’s Leading: Are you bearing the fruit of the Spirit in your life?

4)        Live for Eternal Rewards: Are you investing in your inheritance through faithful obedience?

Flow Chart of the Passage

Freedom in Christ (5:1-6)

5:1 Christ has set us free → Stand firm in grace → Reject returning to legalism

5:2 Relying on circumcision negates Christ’s benefit → Justification is by faith

5:3 If you follow part of the Law, you must keep the entire Law → An impossible burden

5:4 Seeking justification through the Law alienates from Christ → Falling from grace

5:5 True believers trust in the Spirit for righteousness → Faith over works

5:6 External rituals mean nothing → Faith expressing itself through love matters

Warning Against False Teaching (5:7-12)

5:7 The Christian walk is a race → False teachers are obstacles

5:8 Legalism does not come from God → False doctrine leads people astray

5:9 False teaching spreads like leaven → Corrupts the entire church

5:10 Paul trusts the Galatians will return to truth → False teachers face judgment

5:11 If Paul preached circumcision, persecution would stop → The cross offends legalists

5:12 Paul condemns false teachers → Strong language expressing frustration

Living by the Spirit, Not the Flesh (5:13-26)

5:13 Freedom in Christ is not for sin → Serve others in love

5:14 Love fulfills the Law → Love your neighbor as yourself

5:15 Division and strife destroy the church → Avoid conflict

5:16 Walk by the Spirit → Overcome sinful desires

5:17 The flesh and Spirit are opposed → Victory comes by surrendering to the Spirit

5:18 Being led by the Spirit means freedom from the Law

5:19-21 Works of the flesh: Immorality, jealousy, dissensions, etc.

Those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom

(Believers can lose rewards, not salvation)

5:22-23 Fruit of the Spirit: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc.

The Law is not against these virtues

5:24 Believers have crucified the flesh → Living by the Spirit

5:25 Keeping in step with the Spirit → Daily obedience

5:26 Avoid conceit, provocation, and envy → Maintain unity

Conclusion

Galatians 5 calls believers to:

Stand firm in Christ’s freedom

Reject legalism and false teaching

Walk by the Spirit rather than the flesh

Demonstrate love, service, and godly virtues

Maintain unity in the faith

This chapter emphasizes that salvation is through faith, not works, and that believers must rely on the Spirit to live transformed lives.