Galatians 5
Galatians 5:6b (NIV) | 6b The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
- The faith and love connection
- Faith points to what we believe and love animates us for action
Our Problem:
- We are prone to living for self as opposed to Spirit
- The Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41)
Galatians 5:16-18 (NIV) | 16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
- Led by the Spirit
- One of Christianity’s major cultural deviations was sexual morality
Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV) | 19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
- Inherit the Kingdom of God
- Impulse control
- Remember the crucified Christ
Galatians 5:22-25 (NIV) | 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, [patience], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
- Keep in step with the Spirit
- The Spirit produces spontaneous fruit, or evidence of God’s presence and power in your life
- The Spirit is like a line leader, but also prodding us along
Reflection Questions
- What is the faith and love connection as described by Pastor Mark? Where do you see gaps in your own life that can be addressed by bringing these in sync?
- What problems do you face with your own impulse control issues?
- What does it mean to be led by the Spirit? What advice does Paul give when we face the struggle to give into temptation?
- What is the essence of living into the Kingdom of God spelled out by Paul? How does Paul’s statement in Romans 14:17 point us to experiencing God’s Kingdom beyond the things we consume?
- What does it mean to keep in step with the Spirit? How do you experience God’s leading and prompting in your own life?
