From 7f9f5e0abcb8eb3d8456b1eed8a0f2d4ccdc92a5 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Lyle Mantooth Date: Sun, 20 Aug 2023 09:05:53 -0400 Subject: [PATCH] Galatians 5:16-26 --- content/bible_journal/galatians_5:16-26.md | 50 ++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 50 insertions(+) create mode 100644 content/bible_journal/galatians_5:16-26.md diff --git a/content/bible_journal/galatians_5:16-26.md b/content/bible_journal/galatians_5:16-26.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..034def4 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/bible_journal/galatians_5:16-26.md @@ -0,0 +1,50 @@ ++++ +title = "Galatians 5:16–26" +date = "2023-08-20" ++++ + +### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Galatians5.16-26) + +In most of Paul's letters, he teaches theology in the first section and then +instructs the readers in the practical application of that theology in their +lives. The letter to the Galatians is no exception, and this is the turning +point. "Because of all that I have just told you," Paul could say, "always and +continuously be doing these things." + +The first command he gives is to "walk by the Spirit". The meaning of "walk" +indicates a pattern of behavior or a lifestyle. "Spirit" is contrasted with +"flesh" not because our phyiscal bodies are evil, as some Gnostics claimed, but +because God is holy and we are not. Paul often uses "flesh" and "physical man" +as a metaphor for our sin-cursed natures, but in other letters he affirms that +we will get new, glorified, and still physical bodies when we are resurrected +in Christ, just as He was. So then, if we pattern our lives according to the +Holy Spirit, we won't satisfy the evil urges of our old nature. Holiness and +sin are opposed to each other, and they cannot dwell in the same place. + +The list of sinful behaviors in verses 19–22 are, of course, not exhaustive. If +the Judaizers heard them, they would be nodding along because they never would +do such things. But then the middle of the list rolls up: "enmity, strife, +jealosy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy…" and we +can tell that they are condemned. Examine yourselves, beloved, and be certain +you have nothing to do with these practices either. But if you do (spoiler +alert: you certainly do), then repent of them and ask the Lord Jesus for +forgiveness and His grace. And if you stubbornly think, "I can check off all of +those; I've never done any of them," then I point out the catch-all Paul puts +at the end. Only God is good and sinlessly perfect; He is the standard we are +measured against, not anyone else around you. Pay particular attention to verse +26. + +The fruit of the Spirit list is well-known, and for good reason. I would like +to say it is not an exhaustive list either, but I can't come up with anything +that wouldn't fall under one of the existing items. Notice that unlike the +works of the flesh list, none of the fruit of the Spirit are things you do. +Instead, they are attitudes that you have while you are walking in the Spirit. +This is because even "good deeds" can be done in the flesh, even such things as +preaching ([Phil. 1:15–17](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Philippians1.15-17)) +and praying ([Luke 18:9-14](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Luke18.9-14)). +Remember, we are to walk in the Spirit, which drives out the selfish desires +and motivations of the flesh. + +* * * + +There is no one like You, holy and perfect.