Tag: Galatians 5:22-26
Called to Freedom!
Scripture reading for May 20th: Galatians 5
Key Scriptures: Galatians 5:13-15 “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but though love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.”
There was conflict in the Galatian church between the Jewish false teachers and the believers. Both sides were conceited and judgmental of one another and lacked love, a basic fruit of the Holy Spirit. Paul instructed them on those attributes that were not of God, warning them that those who practiced the works of the flesh would not inherit the kingdom of God. He encouraged them to keep in step with the Holy Spirit Who lived inside them. The Spirit’s fruit would effectively deal with the flesh and those still trying to earn righteousness through law. In fact, loving your neighbor as yourself fulfils the whole law of God! The Spirit of the Lord brings God’s love and true freedom!
Galatians 5:22-26 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control; Against such things as this there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Fill me again today with Your Spirit and let love for my neighbor and for You flow out of my life in every relationship and contact, to Your glory! I want to keep step with the Spirit today and walk in the freedom of fulfilled law.
Galatians 5:1 “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”