Text: Galatians chapter 5
Spotlight: Galatians 5:1

The only thing that counts…

My reading this morning was Galatians chapter 5. There is so much in this text that is important to point out but I will try to make a summary. Paul continually makes two analogies in his writings.
The first one in is in verse 1 where it says “Stand firm.” Several different times in his writings he says the words “stand firm.” So much of our Christian walk is based on not just taking a stand for Jesus but to work toward keeping our position, to stay firmly in place for the long haul, to remain grounded in the truth and not being led astray by false teachers. This kind of perseverance takes faith and patience. It should be an obvious characteristic in the life of a believer. We should be known for an unwavering stance in our beliefs and our convictions
The second analogy Paul is known for using often is in verse 7 where he talks about “running a race.” He also mentions this analogy several times in other places in his writings. Why? Because in many ways our Christian walk is a race, a pursuit. We run after Christ, we pursue to be more like Him every day. Running a race is laborious and takes effort, all our effort. It takes a focus on a single goal, the finish line.
Paul is expressing frustration at the Galatians first for being so easily pushed down from their firm stance and for being easily swayed by the doctrines of men. He also is amazed at how quickly they were sidetracked from the race they were running. Do we in our own lives get sidetracked easily? Are we easily swayed by doctrines of men that tickle our itching ears rather than adhering to truths that draw us nearer to God?
So how do we keep this from happening? The answer is also in this chapter. Let me point out a few key items.
1. V.1 – “Do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
a. By seeking justification by the law, you fall from grace (v.4)
b. We have been given freedom from bondage to sin, now we must choose to walk in it.
2. V.13 – “DO not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature.”
a. I once heard it said that freedom is not a right, it is a responsibility.
b. It is quite true. Freedom isn’t doing whatever I want, it’s doing what I was created to do.
3. V.16 – “Live by the spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”
a. Our flesh will always pull toward living according to the natural but as we will ourselves with God’s word and pursue intimacy with Him we will be able to overcome our flesh.
There is so much more I could talk about from this text but Paul sums it all up beautifully in verse 6 when he says, “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” We must work to develop our faith and express it through our love for God and for others.
How do we know if we’re on the right track? If we are living by the spirit we will exhibit the fruits of the spirit. The fruits of the spirit are not works. They are outlined in verse 22 as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. “Against such things there is no law.” Is your life producing these fruits?

How to pray this scripture:

Dear Lord Jesus, Thank you for setting me free. Thank you that I do not have to be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Lord, strengthen me so that I may stand firm, that I may run a good race, pursuing you as my goal. Lord, teach me how to live by the spirit so I will not gratify the sinful desires of my flesh. But may I produce fruit in keeping with a life of repentance, the fruits of the spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Thank you Lord for the transforming power of your Holy Spirit. In Jesus name, Amen.

Other scriptures to read:

Romans 1:16-18
Ephesians 6:13-15
Galatians 3:10-12
I Corinthians 14:4-7
James 5:7-9

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