“Be Free” Part 14 – Galatians 5:1-12
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This week we reached part 14 of our series “Be Free” from the book of Galatians and looked at Galatians 5:1-12. We looked at three questions that can help us understand this passage.
Slave or free?
Galatians 5:1 tells us that we were once slaves to sin but Christ died on the cross to set us free and we are not to go back to being in slavery again. For non Christians the controlling yoke is sin. If you are a Christian the yoke is Christ himself Matthew 11:28-30.
What does it look like to have a life of freedom, knowing that you are accepted by God and have a place in heaven? We can live free or live as a slave. We have a life of freedom but we do not always live as free people. Being a Christian is like have a theme park ticket lots of exciting rides but we decide to stay on the “teacup” ride, the most ordinary ride which just goes round and round because we feel safe in it. There is the whole theme park to enjoy. We have freedom to enjoy life. Our choice is simply slave or free? How are you going to live your life?
Law or Christ?
Galatians 5:2-6 talk about circumcision. Circumcision is a physical ,outward sign. It is something that can be measured. It is a sign of good works, of obedience to the law
If you choose circumcision you have to keep the whole law (Galatians 5:3). It is impossible to keep every law. In choosing circumcision we are saying that Jesus isn’t enough. We cannot have it both ways. Following the law removes us from Christ. We move out of the sphere of God’s grace – we fall from grace.
We are unable to add anything to what Jesus has done. Everything we need for life is in Jesus. The minute we add the law to Jesus he becomes nothing. All we need is faith in Jesus – Galatians 5:5. Galatians 5:6 makes it clear that it’s only our faith that counts.
Compromise or truth?
Paul uses a series of pictures in Galatians 5:7-11. All the pictures make the same point. The Galatians started well but something happened to make them change their course. Galatians 5:8, Paul uses the law court – it was the use of clever words that threw the Galatians off course. Galatians 5:9, it’s the kitchen, how a little yeast (compromise) can grow and spread. Compromise is like a poison growing through a church.
- Error and compromise will never ultimately triumph – Galatians 5:10-11. It might appear to be successful at first but this success will not lat.
- We all have a part to play – Galatians 5:11. It is not only the preacher’s responsibility to watch out for error and compromise but every Christians. We have a responsibility to preach the gospel of grace and to be on the look out for errors, compromise and false teaching.
For Paul the message of the cross led to persecution. We need to be clear about the truth and with the truth. Circumcision or Christ? Circumcision is about human achievement. It is something we can do. Christ is about divine achievement – what Jesus does on the cross. We can circumcise but Christ can only be done by God alone. Circumcision is about the law. Christ is about grace. Circumcision is about works, rules and slavery. Christ is about freedom, faith and joy. We need clarity over this and we need to see the difference. We need to choose compromise or truth, there is no middle way.
Paul wrote these verses to believers. These are decisions we need to make again and again. We need to work out if we are going to live as a slave or live free. Are we going to stay in our comfort zone or enjoy the adventure God has for us? Being church lets us live as free men and women under God’s grace.
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Galatians 5:1-12
Christ Has Set Us Free
5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. 3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. 4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified [1] by the law; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
7 You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view than mine, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. 11 But if I, brothers, [2] still preach [3] circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. 12 I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves! (ESV)
Latest sermons from this series
- “Be Free” Part 20 – Review (2 Apr 12)
- “Be Free” Part 19 – Galatians 6:11-18 (26 Mar 12)
- “Be Free” Part 18 – Galatians 6:6-10 (12 Mar 12)
- “Be Free” Part 17 – Galatians 6:1-5 (4 Mar 12)
- “Be Free” Part 16 – Galatians 5:16-25 (27 Feb 12)
- “Be Free” Part 15 – Galatians 5:13-15 (19 Feb 12)
- “Be Free” Part 14 – Galatians 5:1-12 (12 Feb 12)
- “Be Free” Part 13 – Galatians 4:21-31 (29 Jan 12)
- “Be Free” Part 12 – Galatians 4:12-20 (22 Jan 12)
- “Be Free” Part 11 – Galatians 4:1-11 (15 Jan 12)
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