Stay the Course!

Often in life we can get tripped up. Everything can be going well. Smooth sailing then the enemy gets in the mix. This is truly is often the case in life. It is the goal of the enemy to trip you up. He causes confusion, anxiety, anxiousness.

I chapter 5 Paul continues his encouragement of the Galatians. He opens this chapter by reminding us “Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law. (Ga 5:1). We know that Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. That word liberty means freedom!

We have discussed this in the past. This freedom that comes with being a Christian. I have reminded you that with freedom comes responsibility. Today, We have liberties with no restraints. Our liberties have become our covering for evil.

The early apostles warned the early church. Make sure you stay free. We are to be Gods servants.

Don’t again be tied up to slavery of the law. We have seen this word before Slave This word bondservant doulos is the same word for slave. 5 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. (Ga 5:1).

Acts 13:39 says and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. So we now live under grace. If we are on the road of grace we have to make sure we stay the course!

Paul makes several suggestions.

CALLED TO LIVE IN FREEDOM

13 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. 14 For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another. (Ga 5:13–15).

Don’t satisfy Sinful nature

Peter said it this way 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God... (1 Pe 2:16–17).

Paul said to the Cor 9 But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. (1 Co 8:8–9).

In contrast to sinning we should be serving! Time to serve..19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. (1 Co 9:19).

WALK BY THE SPIRIT

So not only are we Called to freedom but we are to walk by the spirit.

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. (Ga 5:16–17).

There is a war going on in all of us. Its a war of the spirit and the flesh. Paul said to the Romans So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.. (Ro 7:17–20).

Here is the list of fleshly things:

19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. (Ga 5:19–21).

This list is evident of what we are seeing in the world today. Whether its a mass shooting because of hate in Buffalo or mass shooting at McDonald’s here in Chicago because of foolishness. There is a stark warning here! Paul said I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Ga 5:21).

Last week in Sunday School we talked about a good inheritance. Paul said if we choose to operate in the flesh with the practices then we will not inherit the the kingdom of God.

But Paul shows us a better way!

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Ga 5:22–23)

Remember the Fruit of the Spirit produces a Church that is the Lords Church 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Eph 4:2–6).

Keep in mind

24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Ga 5:24)

We have to stay the course. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. (Ga 5:25).