Paul’s Gospel practiced: In liberty, In Love & In the Spirit - Daily Devotional

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The devotional:
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. — Galatians 5:1
Liberty is a valuable state that is often obtained initially by hardship and bloodshed, and one that must be defended to be maintained.

“Give me liberty, or give me death!” These words are attributed to Patrick Henry when he was speaking to the Second Virginia Convention on March 23, 1775. Some of those who heard him quoted him as saying, “Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!”1 The men who heard him were persuaded to pass a resolution to raise a militia in the colony of Virginia. Other colonies had already begun gathering troops, and before long the Revolutionary War began. Henry’s words became the battle cry of those engaged in the efforts for American independence. Later, Thomas Jefferson wrote, “It is not now easy to say what we should have done without Patrick Henry. He was before us all in maintaining the spirit of the Revolution.”2 Henry’s words sparked the action that resulted in political liberty for the people of the United States.

Centuries before Patrick Henry’s time, the Apostle Paul wrote today’s focus verse, which is also a challenge — a spiritual challenge. The purpose of his letter to the Galatians was to help them understand that they could have spiritual liberty by faith in Jesus Christ and a dedication of their lives to Him. Some Jewish proponents of the Law were telling these believers that they must be circumcised and observe other requirements that had been established before Jesus came. Paul told them that doing so would make them slaves of the Law. He wanted them to “stand fast” and maintain their liberty in Christ.

Today, salvation from sin still brings spiritual liberty, but that freedom must be cherished and protected. Liberty is not the license to live in our own ways. Paul urged his readers to live under the guidance of the Spirit of God, which would cause them to serve one another in love. That is the key to spiritual victory. In verse 25 he said, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” The word translated walk is a military expression that means “to march.” If we march spiritually at the direction of the Holy Spirit, we will have true liberty.

BACKGROUND
Today’s text tells of the liberty in the Gospel and contrasts the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit.

Verse 1 provides a summing up of the Apostle Paul’s statements in the previous chapters — if the Galatians chose to follow the Law, making that the basis of their salvation, they would be taking on a “yoke of bondage,” and their liberty in Christ would be ended.

Paul went on to address circumcision in verses 2-12. He indicated that if the Galatian Christians accepted circumcision as an essential step for salvation, it would be necessary for them to keep the whole Law. The consequence would be to disregard what Christ died to offer. In strong language, Paul told them there were not two ways to obtain justification; to accept the Law as the method for salvation was to reject Christ.

Paul stated in verse 6 that salvation comes by “faith which worketh by love.” This would cause a person to do right because of love, rather than trying to do good because of the rules of the Law. The Galatians had been doing well in following God (verse 7) until a few people came in and hindered them with erroneous teachings...

AMPLIFIED OUTLINE
IV. Paul’s Gospel practiced
A. In liberty (5:1-12)
1. The improper ground of acceptance (5:1-4)
2. The proper ground of acceptance (5:5-6)
3. The problem of the Galatians (5:7-10)
4. The persecution of Paul (5:11-12)
B. In Love (5:13-15)
1. Liberty is not license (5:13)
2. Liberty results in love (5:14)
3. Legalism results in strife (5:15)
C. In the Spirit (5:16-26)
1. The command (5:16)
2. The conflict (5:17-18)
3. The contrast (5:19-23)
4. The conclusion (5:24-26)

A CLOSER LOOK
What are the nine characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit?
What did Paul mean when he said the Galatians were to “walk in the Spirit”?
How have you witnessed the fruit of the Spirit demonstrated?

CONCLUSION
Paul’s epistle challenges us today to be controlled by God’s Spirit. If we are, His love will flow through us to others and the fruit of the Spirit will be evident in our lives.

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Daily devotional provided by Apostolic Faith Church of Portland, Oregon.
Find out more about Christ and read more Gospel literature: https://www.apostolicfaith.org/

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