GALATIANS 5:13-17

GALATIANS 5:13-17GALATIANS 5:13-17Delivered at College Hill church of ChristDelivered at College Hill church of Christ

Leyte Christian College Campus, Leyte Christian College Campus, Tagpuro, Tacloban CityTagpuro, Tacloban City

Sunday, August 29, 2010Sunday, August 29, 2010

Galatians 5:13-17Galatians 5:13-17

13 For you were called to 13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not freedom, brethren; only do not use your freedom as an use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants of one through love be servants of one another. 14 For the whole law is another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, "You shall fulfilled in one word, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."love your neighbor as yourself."


15 But if you bite and devour one 15 But if you bite and devour one another take heed that you are another take heed that you are not consumed by one another. not consumed by one another. 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and do not gratify the desires of and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. the flesh.


17 For the desires of the flesh 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against desires of the Spirit are against the flesh; for these are opposed the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you to each other, to prevent you from doing what you would. from doing what you would.

OUTLINEOUTLINE

CALLINGCALLINGSERVINGSERVINGFULFILLINGFULFILLINGWALKINGWALKING

First, what is YOUR First, what is YOUR CALLING?CALLING?

““For you were called to freedom, For you were called to freedom, brethren”, 5:13a.brethren”, 5:13a.

This means freedom from the ordinances This means freedom from the ordinances of the law. What law? of the law. What law?

The law that requires us to offer sacrifices The law that requires us to offer sacrifices of bulls and goats and sheep every year.of bulls and goats and sheep every year.

The law that requires us to make a trip to The law that requires us to make a trip to Jerusalem in observance of it every year.Jerusalem in observance of it every year.

This means freedom from expensive This means freedom from expensive Jewish rites and ceremonies, and from Jewish rites and ceremonies, and from burdensome commandments and burdensome commandments and ordinances.ordinances.

The Galatians had been taught by The Galatians had been taught by false teachers to be subject to that false teachers to be subject to that law again. law again.

Paul said no! They were now free Paul said no! They were now free from that law!from that law!

Cf. Gal. 4:9-11.Cf. Gal. 4:9-11.


““But now, after that ye have known But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? 10 Ye desire again to be in bondage? 10 Ye observe days, and months, and observe days, and months, and times, and years. 11 I am afraid of times, and years. 11 I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you you, lest I have bestowed upon you labor in vain.”labor in vain.”

The meaning of Galatians 4:9-11 is, that The meaning of Galatians 4:9-11 is, that Paul wished the false teachers removed Paul wished the false teachers removed because true Christians had been called because true Christians had been called Unto liberty, and these false teachers were Unto liberty, and these false teachers were abridging and destroying that liberty. abridging and destroying that liberty.

True Christians were not in subjection to True Christians were not in subjection to the law of Moses, the Ten the law of Moses, the Ten Commandments. Commandments.

They were free; free from the servitude of They were free; free from the servitude of sin, and free from subjection to expensive sin, and free from subjection to expensive and burdensome rites and customs. and burdensome rites and customs.

““They were to remember this as a They were to remember this as a great and settled principle: and so vital great and settled principle: and so vital a truth was this, and so important that a truth was this, and so important that it should be maintained, and so great it should be maintained, and so great the evil of forgetting it, that Paul says the evil of forgetting it, that Paul says he earnestly wishes that all who would he earnestly wishes that all who would reduce them to that state of servitude reduce them to that state of servitude were cut off from the Christian church” were cut off from the Christian church” (Barnes' Notes on the New Testament).(Barnes' Notes on the New Testament).

Today there are no bondmen or Today there are no bondmen or bondwomen in Christ Jesus! bondwomen in Christ Jesus!

We have been called to be free! We have been called to be free! Cf. Gal. 3:26-28.Cf. Gal. 3:26-28.


““For ye are all the children of God by For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”

What does this freedom mean to you?What does this freedom mean to you?

Some illustrationsSome illustrations

It means freedom from debts and financial It means freedom from debts and financial burdens. Why?burdens. Why?

Because someone paid your home Because someone paid your home mortgage! mortgage!

Because someone paid your motorcycle Because someone paid your motorcycle mortgage!mortgage!

Because someone paid for your children’s Because someone paid for your children’s education!education!

Because someone paid for your wife’s eye Because someone paid for your wife’s eye operations!operations!

To a student, to be exempted from the To a student, to be exempted from the final exam is freedom from exam worries! final exam is freedom from exam worries!

To a little boy, fatherly support is To a little boy, fatherly support is freedom from hunger and want! freedom from hunger and want!

To Christians, the coming of Jesus means To Christians, the coming of Jesus means freedom from fear! 2000 years ago, Jesus freedom from fear! 2000 years ago, Jesus came here to set men free! Now you came here to set men free! Now you need not be afraid of the future!need not be afraid of the future!

Second, YOUR Second, YOUR SERVINGSERVING

““Only do not use your freedom as an Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants of one another”,love be servants of one another”, 5:13b.5:13b.

Opportunity, Gr. aphorme, “a starting Opportunity, Gr. aphorme, “a starting point” for doing a thing, “an occasion.”point” for doing a thing, “an occasion.”

The meaning is, Don’t think of that The meaning is, Don’t think of that freedom as an occasion allowing you freedom as an occasion allowing you to indulge in your fleshly desires or to to indulge in your fleshly desires or to further your corrupt passions.further your corrupt passions.

Christians are called to liberty, but it is not Christians are called to liberty, but it is not liberty to fulfill their fleshly wants. liberty to fulfill their fleshly wants.

It is not freedom from virtuous restraints from It is not freedom from virtuous restraints from God’s eternal principles, nor it is freedom God’s eternal principles, nor it is freedom from the necessary restraints of virtue.from the necessary restraints of virtue.

Rather it is liberty from serving sin, because Rather it is liberty from serving sin, because from now on you are free from sin.from now on you are free from sin.

It is freedom from expensive and It is freedom from expensive and burdensome religious rites and ceremonies.burdensome religious rites and ceremonies.

It is freedom that allows you to keep doing It is freedom that allows you to keep doing good.good.

““But by love be slaves to one anotherBut by love be slaves to one another.” .” The meaning is that by the proper The meaning is that by the proper

manifestation of love one to another, we manifestation of love one to another, we must strive to promote each other's must strive to promote each other's welfare. welfare.

Doing this act is not be inconsistent with Doing this act is not be inconsistent with the freedom of the gospel brings. the freedom of the gospel brings.

““When there is When there is lovelove, duty is pleasant, and , duty is pleasant, and offices of kindness are agreeable” (Barnes offices of kindness are agreeable” (Barnes Notes on the NT). Notes on the NT).

““Paul does not consider them as freed Paul does not consider them as freed from from allall law and law and allall restraint; but they restraint; but they are to be governed by the law of love” are to be governed by the law of love” (Barnes Notes on the NT).(Barnes Notes on the NT).

““They were not to feel that they were They were not to feel that they were so free that they might lawfully give so free that they might lawfully give indulgence to the desires of the flesh, indulgence to the desires of the flesh, but they were to regard themselves as but they were to regard themselves as under the law to love one another; and under the law to love one another; and thus they would fulfill the law of thus they would fulfill the law of Christian freedom” (Barnes' Notes on Christian freedom” (Barnes' Notes on the New Testament).the New Testament).

Hear the story of Fernando, who supported Hear the story of Fernando, who supported his friend Ferdinand’s family until his friend his friend Ferdinand’s family until his friend was released from prison ten years after. was released from prison ten years after. He had six mouths to feed from his friend’s He had six mouths to feed from his friend’s family, plus seven of his own! This true love!family, plus seven of his own! This true love!

But hear the story of Fermin, who also But hear the story of Fermin, who also supported three of his friend Doro’s family supported three of his friend Doro’s family when Doro went to prison for killing an when Doro went to prison for killing an American. Fermin was single. When Doro American. Fermin was single. When Doro came back from prison, he would not take came back from prison, he would not take back his wife Dora, because Dora had back his wife Dora, because Dora had become Fermin’s wife! This is not love but become Fermin’s wife! This is not love but sexual opportunism!sexual opportunism!

Christians are to serve one another Christians are to serve one another like slaves. This means you serve like slaves. This means you serve him or her and he or she serves you him or her and he or she serves you too. too.

The manner of serving is that of The manner of serving is that of pleasing one’s master.pleasing one’s master.

Avoid displeasing one another.Avoid displeasing one another. Repay each other’s kindness.Repay each other’s kindness.

Thirdly, YOUR Thirdly, YOUR FULFILLINGFULFILLING

"For the whole law is fulfilled in one "For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, "You shall love your neighbor word, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." as yourself."

That is, by fulfilling the law of love, That is, by fulfilling the law of love, you are expressing through your you are expressing through your action the substance of the whole action the substance of the whole law. That loving action you do law. That loving action you do embraces and comprises all intents embraces and comprises all intents and purposes of the law. and purposes of the law.

The apostle, of course, here alludes to The apostle, of course, here alludes to the law in regard to our duty to our the law in regard to our duty to our fellow-men, since that was the point fellow-men, since that was the point which he particularly emphasizes. which he particularly emphasizes.

He is saying that the law of love would He is saying that the law of love would counteract all the evil workings of the counteract all the evil workings of the flesh; and, if this law were fulfilled, all flesh; and, if this law were fulfilled, all our duty to others would be discharged.our duty to others would be discharged.

If you love your neighbor, you would not If you love your neighbor, you would not sleep with his wife, for this will hurt him sleep with his wife, for this will hurt him and his marriage.and his marriage.

You will not steal his property for this will You will not steal his property for this will leave him and his children destitute.leave him and his children destitute.

You will not gossip about him for this will You will not gossip about him for this will destroy his reputation.destroy his reputation.

You will not force him to give, and You will not force him to give, and anathematize him if he does not.anathematize him if he does not.

Masarap pa rin ang kapeng kusang Masarap pa rin ang kapeng kusang ibinigay, kaysa kapeng sadyang piniga ibinigay, kaysa kapeng sadyang piniga mula sa wallet!mula sa wallet!

““But if you bite and devour one another take But if you bite and devour one another take heed that you are not consumed by one heed that you are not consumed by one another,” 5:15.another,” 5:15.

““But if ye biteBut if ye bite. The word here used δακνω . The word here used δακνω means, properly, to bite, to sting; and here means, properly, to bite, to sting; and here seems to be used in the sense of contending seems to be used in the sense of contending and striving--a metaphor not improbably and striving--a metaphor not improbably taken from dogs and wild beasts” (Barnes' taken from dogs and wild beasts” (Barnes' Notes on the New Testament).Notes on the New Testament).

We bite one another by gossiping about We bite one another by gossiping about each other. If we do so, we are like dogs!each other. If we do so, we are like dogs!

““And devour one anotherAnd devour one another. As wild beasts . As wild beasts do. The sense is, "if you contend with do. The sense is, "if you contend with each other;" and the reference is, each other;" and the reference is, probably, to the strifes which would probably, to the strifes which would arise between the two parties in the arise between the two parties in the churches-the Jewish and the Gentile churches-the Jewish and the Gentile converts” (Barnes' Notes on the New converts” (Barnes' Notes on the New Testament).Testament).

If we contend with each other, we are If we contend with each other, we are devouring one another like wild beasts devouring one another like wild beasts do!do!

““Take heed that ye be not consumedTake heed that ye be not consumed, etc. , etc. As wild beasts contend sometimes until As wild beasts contend sometimes until both are slain. Thus the idea is, in their both are slain. Thus the idea is, in their contentions they would destroy the contentions they would destroy the spirituality and happiness of each other; spirituality and happiness of each other; their characters would be ruined, and the their characters would be ruined, and the church be overthrown. The readiest way to church be overthrown. The readiest way to destroy the spirituality of a church, and to destroy the spirituality of a church, and to annihilate the influence of religion, is to annihilate the influence of religion, is to excite a spirit of contention” (Barnes' excite a spirit of contention” (Barnes' Notes on the New Testament).Notes on the New Testament).

Have you seen two dogs fight until Have you seen two dogs fight until they killed each other? they killed each other?

Our gossips and arguments too will Our gossips and arguments too will consume us!consume us!

Gossiping and libeling, slandering Gossiping and libeling, slandering and backbiting, murmuring and and backbiting, murmuring and grumbling, and not being content are grumbling, and not being content are also sins!also sins!

Serve one another as slaves. Serve one another as slaves. Hear the story of Friend A and Friend B. Hear the story of Friend A and Friend B.

Both were walking in a forest, arguing. Both were walking in a forest, arguing. Suddenly Friend A picked up a stone and Suddenly Friend A picked up a stone and slapped B on the head. B just looked at his slapped B on the head. B just looked at his friend, wiped his bloodied face, and wrote friend, wiped his bloodied face, and wrote his friend’s sins on the sand. his friend’s sins on the sand.

They kept on walking. Then A fell into a They kept on walking. Then A fell into a quagmire and shouted for help. B held out quagmire and shouted for help. B held out his hand and slowly pulled his friend over. his hand and slowly pulled his friend over.

Friend A sat down, scraped the mud on his Friend A sat down, scraped the mud on his face and asked: “Why are you doing all face and asked: “Why are you doing all this?”this?”

B said: “I wrote your sin on the sand B said: “I wrote your sin on the sand because I know the winds will blow it because I know the winds will blow it away. If I wrote it on stone, I might often away. If I wrote it on stone, I might often remember it. Some years ago I stabbed a remember it. Some years ago I stabbed a man and as he lay dying there he wrote man and as he lay dying there he wrote my sin on the pool of his blood. And before my sin on the pool of his blood. And before he breathed his last, he hugged me.”he breathed his last, he hugged me.”

B paused for a moment: “I pardoned your B paused for a moment: “I pardoned your little sin because someone pardoned me little sin because someone pardoned me for my big sin.”for my big sin.”

Lastly, YOUR WALKINGLastly, YOUR WALKING

““But I say, walk by the Spirit, and But I say, walk by the Spirit, and do not gratify the desires of the do not gratify the desires of the flesh” flesh” , 5:16., 5:16.

““WalkWalk. The Christian life is often . The Christian life is often represented as a journey; and the represented as a journey; and the word word walkwalk, in the Scripture, is often , in the Scripture, is often equivalent to live” (Barnes' Notes on equivalent to live” (Barnes' Notes on the New Testament).the New Testament).

What does walking in the Spirit mean? What does walking in the Spirit mean? This means living under the influences This means living under the influences

of the Holy Spirit as delineated in the of the Holy Spirit as delineated in the Bible.Bible.

This means admitting those influences This means admitting those influences fully into your hearts. fully into your hearts.

This means not resisting him, but This means not resisting him, but yielding to all his suggestions as found yielding to all his suggestions as found in the Word of God.in the Word of God.

If a man would yield his heart to those If a man would yield his heart to those influences, he would be able to overcome influences, he would be able to overcome all his evil propensities.all his evil propensities.

If he resists that Spirit, he is overcome by If he resists that Spirit, he is overcome by the corrupt passions of his nature. the corrupt passions of his nature.

““Never was a better, safer, or a more easy Never was a better, safer, or a more easy rule given to overcome our corrupt and rule given to overcome our corrupt and sensual desires than that here furnished” sensual desires than that here furnished” by Paul in Galatians! (Barnes' Notes on the by Paul in Galatians! (Barnes' Notes on the New Testament).New Testament).

What the Holy Spirit would What the Holy Spirit would produce, Paul states in produce, Paul states in Galatians 5:22Galatians 5:22,,2323..

““But the fruit of the Spirit is love, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”such there is no law.”

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

Your calling.Your calling. Remember that you have been called Remember that you have been called

to be free. to be free. Don’t be slaves to the law, to the Don’t be slaves to the law, to the

doctrines of men, to the rites and doctrines of men, to the rites and ordinances that replace that of God’s ordinances that replace that of God’s law, God’s doctrine, God’s ordinance.law, God’s doctrine, God’s ordinance.

Your serving.Your serving. Christians are to serve one another as Christians are to serve one another as

they also serve God. Serving here means they also serve God. Serving here means becoming a slave. becoming a slave.

We are to honor and please one another. We are to honor and please one another. Let us avoid displeasing one another. Let us avoid displeasing one another.

There is no master among us; only Jesus There is no master among us; only Jesus is our Master. In every which way we is our Master. In every which way we please one another, we also please please one another, we also please Jesus.Jesus.

Your fulfilling.Your fulfilling. By loving one another, and becoming By loving one another, and becoming

slaves to one another, we are slaves to one another, we are fulfilling the true intents of the law. fulfilling the true intents of the law.

We fulfill that law when we offer even We fulfill that law when we offer even a glass of water to the man who is a glass of water to the man who is thirsty or a piece of bread to the thirsty or a piece of bread to the hungry boy.hungry boy.

IllustrationIllustration There was that little boy I saw at Avenida Veteranos There was that little boy I saw at Avenida Veteranos

in Tacloban City early one morning one month ago. in Tacloban City early one morning one month ago. His two hands were outstretched, his arms so thin His two hands were outstretched, his arms so thin like he had not eaten for many days. “Where is your like he had not eaten for many days. “Where is your father?” I asked. father?” I asked.

““He went to Manila.” “Looking for a job?” I He went to Manila.” “Looking for a job?” I ventured. ventured.

““No, he left my mother.” No, he left my mother.” ““I won’t give you money,” I said. “What I have is I won’t give you money,” I said. “What I have is

enough for my gasoline.”enough for my gasoline.” ““Just one piece of bread.” His eyes were focused on Just one piece of bread.” His eyes were focused on

the Dunkins I had just bought.the Dunkins I had just bought. ““Thank you so much, Sir.” His voice was weak but Thank you so much, Sir.” His voice was weak but

the two donuts I gave him vanished in a wink. He the two donuts I gave him vanished in a wink. He was really hungry!was really hungry!

Your walking.Your walking. Our walking should be characterized by Our walking should be characterized by

one who is being led by the Spirit.one who is being led by the Spirit. Our acts must express the spirituality Our acts must express the spirituality

created in our souls and minds by the created in our souls and minds by the Spirit who lives in us.Spirit who lives in us.

We walk by faith and not by sight. We walk We walk by faith and not by sight. We walk by thinking about the rewards we will by thinking about the rewards we will receive from God in the future, not the receive from God in the future, not the benefits we will reap from men today.benefits we will reap from men today.

FINISHED AND DONE!FINISHED AND DONE!

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GALATIANS 5:13-17