Learning from Galatians

Introduction

Last week Lt. Lilybeth talked about being set free in Christ from the chains that bind us. She reminded us that so long as we our faith is placed in God that we are “children of the free woman” and as such we are heirs to a promise. What promise is this you might ask? Today’s chapter sheds some light as to what that promise is and what it looks like.

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Freedom in Christ

Galatians 5:4 NLT

For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s grace.

Galatians 5:4 NTV

Pues, si ustedes pretenden hacerse justos ante Dios por cumplir la ley, ¡han quedado separados de Cristo! Han caído de la gracia de Dios.

Not acquired by keeping the

Not acquired by keeping the law.

Are we trying to take Jesus’ place?

Who initially fell from God’s grace?

Lucifer

Isaiah 14:12–14 NLT

“How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world. For you said to yourself, ‘I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north. I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.’

Isaiah 14:12–14 NTV

»¡Cómo has caído del cielo, oh estrella luciente, hijo de la mañana! Has sido arrojado a la tierra, tú que destruías a las naciones del mundo. Pues te decías a ti mismo: “Subiré al cielo para poner mi trono por encima de las estrellas de Dios. Voy a presidir en el monte de los dioses, muy lejos en el norte. Escalaré hasta los cielos más altos y seré como el Altísimo”.

isaiah 14

Trying to acquire righteousness by keeping the law is believing we can elevate ourselves to the place of Christ because he fulfilled the law.

In turn, our righteousness is to be received in living by the Spirit and having our trust expressed in love.

Galatians 5:5 NLT

But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us.

Galatians 5:5 NTV

Sin embargo, los que vivimos por el Espíritu esperamos con anhelo recibir por la fe la justicia que Dios nos ha prometido.

But what form does our faith expressing itself in love take?

Freedom to serve

Galatians 5:13 NLT

For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.

Galatians 5:13 NTV

Pues ustedes, mis hermanos, han sido llamados a vivir en libertad; pero no usen esa libertad para satisfacer los deseos de la naturaleza pecaminosa. Al contrario, usen la libertad para servirse unos a otros por amor.

In other words, the freedom we have is not to flirt with sinful things, but for us to serve one another.

Freedom guided by the Spirit

Galatians 5:16 NLT

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.

Galatians 5:16 NTV

Por eso les digo: dejen que el Espíritu Santo los guíe en la vida. Entonces no se dejarán llevar por los impulsos de la naturaleza pecaminosa.

Freedom described

Reference:

Different traits of the same fruit.

As we have seen these past few weeks, this freedom we can delight in is not by the law, but in Christ. What for? So we can serve one another in love. How do we continue in this life of freedom? By letting the holy Spirit guide our lives and not feeding sinful nature.