3030 Challenge Day 21 (9 days to go) We are getting this done! Galatians Chapter 5 In this chapter Paul points out that that changes the entire orientation of salvation away from Gods grace to ones own actions (speaking about circumcision and going back to the Old Law) One who is circumcised in an attempt to gain Gods acceptance is obligated to keep the whole law, which history has abundantly demonstrated no one can do. Fallen from grace is understood by some to refer to the loss of salvation. However, fallen from may refer to their attitude and to the message that it communicates, rather than to their eternal salvation. Paul explains that faith in Christ brings about not only justification before God, but also growth in the Christian life until we are completely glorified by God and freed from the presence of sin. This is the HOPE of righteousness. We can be assured that we will be declared righteous before the Lord on that last day, because we have a foretaste of that righteousness from the Spirit who lives within us. Paul speaks about liberty in the Christian life in Chapter 5. Liberty presents an opposite temptation from legalism. A person can be tempted to view freedom in Christ as a selfish opportunity for the flesh, in other words, an opportunity to do whatever one wants to do. But Paul points out that true Christian liberty is the freedom to serve one another in love. Living in Christ empowers us to love others, which is the fulfillment of the summary of the Law and the Prophets in Matthew 22:36-40. When Christians follow their sinful desires they begin to criticize and contend with one another. Such self-centered behavior is self-defeating. Those who criticize and attack usually end up being consumed in worthless struggles. The only consistent way to overcome the sinful desires of our human nature is to live step-by-step in the power of the Holy Spirit as He works through our spirit. Walking each moment by faith in Gods Word under the Spirits control assures absolute victory over the desires of the sinful nature. Christians are spiritually crucified with Christ. They no longer have to follow values or desires of the world. However, it remains difficult for Christians to apply this spiritual reality to the passions, desires [lusts] of the flesh. Those who have mastered these sinful desires are those who have kept their focus on God. At the end of this Chapter Paul exhorts the Galatians to walk in the Spirit because they are already living in the Spirit. Such action should be natural, but unfortunately we are at war with the flesh. Walk in the Spirit means to obey the prompting of the Holy Spirit. A believer following the Spirits lead will not become conceited, provoke others, or envy others. Here ends our study of Galatians Chapter 5. Be encouraged and keep on going we are 9 days away from reaching our 3030 goal. Read, pray, study Gods Word for 30 minutes for 30 days. This is empowering and it has helped me to really get into the Word of God and spend quality time with the Lord. Have a blessed Sabbath, Pastor Beverly
Posted on: Sun, 21 Sep 2014 15:54:13 +0000
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