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Galatians 5:1 - 5:26
Continuing on with our Galatians study, we ask a Word of Wisdom from our Father in
Christ's Name, Amen.
Gal
5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free,
and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Don't let
traditions based upon God's Law bring you back into chains. We don't have to set a certain
day to worship Christ. We no longer need animal sacrifice for the atonement of sins.
Christ became our Sacrifice for one and all time.
It's no different today in many Church 'systems' of man,
as it was here in Paul's day. One Church thinks it a sin to have musical instruments as
part of service, another can't hold Church service without them. Don't allow the things of
this world to drive a wedge between us as followers after Christ!
Gal
5:2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall
profit you nothing.
Circumcision now is of faith, not of the flesh. The command Abraham received for
circumcision was established for the Covenant of The Promise. Now that our Promise
(Christ) has come and offered all redemption through Him, if we are circumcised of the
'heart' through faith in Christ, we then will have fulfilled God's Covenant Promise of
'faith' in Him. GOD made sure His offer of Salvation is not tied to traditions and works
of bondage.
At the same time, this does not mean we have a license to
commit sin. We are going to pay for each sin we do while in the flesh, in one way or
another; but... now we have the Way of forgiveness through Jesus Christ.
Gal
5:3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor
to do the whole law.
4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified
by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
Just as Paul explained in the first three Chapters of Galatians, to try and be justified
by following The Law and not Christ, then one would have to be Perfect in doing 'all'
of God's Law. No one can do that. If anyone says they have, they're telling lies. So in
trying to obtain Salvation through following The Law instead of Christ, means automatic
rejection. They would rather hold to doing a certain thing on this day, and that day,
etc.; God forbid any emergencies come upon them. The children of the 'bondwoman' will be
cast out; because they had the opportunity to become a child of the 'freewoman' through
'Grace', or unmerited favor, but refused.
Gal 5:5 For we
through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor
uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Our hope is in
Jesus Christ, our Savior. The strongest Power of that hope is love. Our Father loves us so
much, that He sacrificed His Only Begotten Son for us. How can so many people just deny
that Pure Love from our Father? Our Father wants our love, and He only set one
condition on Salvation, and that is to believe on His Savior, Yeshu'a Messiah Jesus
Christ. Our 'hope of righteousness by faith' will only be full when Christ returns in our
near future.
Gal
5:7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?
Paul's asking them to recall how they got turned away from Christ by these false brethren
who were pushing circumcision of God's Law. How is it today folks? How many things in this
flesh life can hinder us, away from Christ? We can't name them all, there's so many.
"Then what do we do? How do we know what to follow?" Study God's Word, because
He tells us what He expects from us, and how to get back on good terms with Him when we
fall away.
Has this Message by Paul here in Galatians been used to
teach congregations that we no longer have need to study The Old Testament? It would
appear so. Do they disregard The Old Testament for fear of falling back into justification
through The Law, and away from Christ? Again, it would appear so. My reference in the Lost
Tribes study to Genesis 49:10 about one from the tribe of Judah will always sit on the
throne of Israel, until Shiloh (Christ) comes, is a mindblower for many preachers today.
Why? Because they disregard most of The Old Testament. They believe God's Word, but they
can't figure that one out, because they have thrown away study in most of The Old
Testament. I recommend study of 'all' of God's Word, not just The New Testament. That way,
the false ones won't be able to hide from you. You'll recognize them right away when they
come in twisting God's Word.
Gal
5:8 This persuasion cometh not of Him That calleth you.
9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.
Paul's saying these false
ideas are not from freedom in Christ. Then... he reminds them of the 'leaven' of false
doctrines, which will poison the whole loaf. Remember what our Lord taught on this
subject:
Matt
16:6 Then Jesus said unto them, "Take heed and beware of the leaven of
the Pharisees and of the Sadducees."
7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "It is
because we have taken no bread."
8 Which when Jesus perceived, He said unto them, "O ye of
little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?
9 Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five
thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
10 Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets
ye took up?
So
what does Christ mean by how many baskets were taken up after these miracles? The feeding
of the multitude with only a few loaves was the point wasn't it? There's more to His
Message with this miracle, if you will receive it.
The fragments which Christ's disciples took up after all
were fed, and were full, represent doctrines that came from within the multitude, back...
to the disciples (seven baskets of fragments with the 'seven loaves' event; Matt.15). It
means that Satan's own will pump up the doctrines of Christ, adding to them doctrines and
creeds (fragments) which do not belong; just as a little leaven (yeast) will make the
whole loaf rise.
Matt
16:11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to
you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the
Sadducees?"
12 Then understood they how that He bade them not beware of the
leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
This is the 'leaven' which Paul is referring to here in Galatians. False doctrines is what
this leaven represents. So don't get caught off guard, as the wicked one loves to
infiltrate your Church and bring it down to the ground if he can. So maybe you want some
examples of this 'leaven' of false doctrine happening today? OK, let's see... ever heard
of some Ministers performing same sex marriages? Anything wrong with that? You bet there
is, as it denies the perfect institution of marriage which GOD set up in the beginning of
this flesh age (see Gen.2). What about Church bingo parlors? That's the merchants of Tyrus
right in the Church system friends. What did Christ say and do about such things as
mercantilism in His House (Matt.21)? Another, who is the head authority over your
Church? It better be Jesus Christ and no other, otherwise that Church is a
Beth-Aven, which means a 'house of vanity'.
So anything that gets in the way of understanding God's
Word in the Church, is vanity and heathenish, and not of our Christ. How much of God's
Word is taught in most Churches today? Not very much, and I'm talking about many Churches,
not all of them. A Church can't do a bunch of abominations and still teach all of God's
Word. It would soon convict them of their wrongs; the Body of members would soon leave, if
they are true to Christ. So how's your Church? Do you leave knowing more of God's Word, or
you just have a 'feel good' emotion that lasts till the end of the day? Now I'm not
speaking about everyone. There are many who attend Church which are not part of these
things, and if it wasn't for them, and their goodness and works for that Church, it would
soon fall. Christ gave examples in Revelation Chapters 2 and 3 about abominations in five
of His Churches, and not all members were guilty. But two particular Churches, of Smyrna
and Philadelphia, He was well pleased with. What made those two different? They had the
'meat' of God's Word and thus knew how to recognize the 'leaven' Paul spoke about.
If one is true to Christ, and worries about not filling up
the pews in Church, there's a simple Way to accomplish it. Teach God's Word Chapter by
Chapter and verse by verse, with understanding; feed the sheep, and they will come. GOD
Himself will send them to you! It's as simple as that!
Gal
5:10 I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise
minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.
Paul well knew some 'crept in unawares' stirred up the pot among these Galatians. He had
faith in their ability to follow Christ, they just needed a little reminding of just What
That Faith is in our Father. And what a Day it will be when the Body of Christ no longer
has to suffer these 'false ones' and their sneaking evils.
Gal
5:11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer
persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.
Paul was persecuted for teaching The Gospel of Christ, and this especially by many of his
own brethren the Jews. If he went along with this circumcision 'leaven' some so-called
believer was teaching to the Gentiles at Galatia, then Christ would not be an offense to
them anymore, as Christ's death on the cross would be null and void. Do you think Paul
could deny Christ's death on the cross? No way.
This is a strong point, because it means if you really,
really, know a Truth from God's Word, and Christ paying the price for us on the cross
being a 'hinge point' of Salvation, then could you ever deny our Savior's death, to save
your own hide from persecution, or even death? Just what price are you willing to pay in
return, for what our Savior obtained for us? How important is Christ in your list of
values? What am I getting at?
Those who teach GOD's Truth, and live for His Truth, will
ever be persecuted during this flesh age. But God is with those who stay true to Him. Paul
knew this, so he's basically saying, "Darn the torpedoes, full steam ahead." Can
do!
Gal
5:12 I would they were even cut off which trouble you.
Paul is going to let us know that he is a man with emotions, and can get angry at those
who try to destroy Christ, especially among the innocent sheep. This word 'cut off'
is 'apokopto' in the Greek and it means 'to amputate, to mutilate'
(Strong's no.609). Without being harsh, it means just what it says in the Greek. If those
false ones pushing the Old Law of circumcision love the practice so much, and think it'll
save them, then they can go and just cut it all off, the 'whole thing', for that matter!
Gal
5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not
liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
We
now have 'liberty' through Jesus Christ. Now, this liberty is not in the sense of the
'watchwords' of the French Revolution; no, that meaning is used to incite overthrow of
authority for political reasons. This 'liberty' in Christ is the REAL meaning of the word
'freedom'! It means release from bondage and eternal damnation. It means
Salvation! Any other applied meaning of 'liberty' is false! Today's use of the word
'liberal' is a Kenite joke being played upon those who do not understand their Salvation
and our Christ.
Since Christ now offers us 'liberty', we are not to abuse
our freedom. As any Great Gift from GOD requires our respect and righteous use, love will
be our strongest helper in maintaining that True 'liberty'. Don't forget that at times,
'love' means disciplining those whom we care about also, much as Paul is doing here with
the Galatians.
Gal
5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; "Thou
shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."
Paul's quoting from Lev.19:18. Help each other in need. Be servants to all. That's what
God's Law is built upon. If you listen to the world, their ways will tear love right out
of your heart. The majority get overwhelmed by the 'love of things' in the world. I want
this, I want that... I'd like to have one of those, etc. If I can work more hours of
overtime, I can buy 'dis or 'dat. Is their time for GOD reserved out of all that getting?
First get understanding! And when true understanding from our Father comes, many 'things'
you once wanted from the world, will appear silly. But many in the world will mess over
people, on all levels, just to get their 'wants', which often times, they don't really
need. And the poor and needy get crumbs.
The movie and TV business is established to make you
'want' things. Most of it is designed to cause you to lose focus on our real purpose here
in the flesh, to serve GOD. Love for our Father and for others will prevent the selfish
flesh wants.
Gal
5:15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed
one of another.
Without love, devouring each other is the default. Many times we need to give our values
and wants close inspection, to discover if they measure up to Christ's values in His Word.
It's too bad the majority of peoples don't properly study His Word, and seek GOD and His
values, otherwise, we would live in a near perfect world wouldn't we? That will never
happen in this flesh age. Nevertheless, we are to do our best to follow Christ, though we
will suffer through Satan's deceptions which affect the majority.
Gal
5:16-17 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil
the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the
flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that
ye would.
To
'Walk in the Spirit' is to listen to Christ and His Word as guided by The Holy Spirit. One
must first accept Christ to do this, and then understand His Word in 'newness'. It means
to stop listening to every little urge of the flesh and seek our Savior with
understanding. Transfer your interests away from flesh things (not completely; we still
live in the flesh and have a job to do), and onto our Father and His Plan, seeking to
serve Him through Christ. If you do that, in sincerity, then He will begin to 'renew' your
mind in Him, and control over the flesh will get easier. These are not idle words I'm
saying; many who once followed the world, but are now in Christ, can show outward proof of
His Spirit by their fruits.
Gal
5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
God's Law is Perfect, and our flesh cannot be perfect in It. But the inner spiritual part
of us, as led by GOD's Spirit, when we stay with Him, can be 'mature' to God's Law. But
our flesh is yet under God's Law, and our flesh will be punished when we sin. Paul's going
to make it clear for us:
Gal
5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these;
Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife,
seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the
which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do
such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Notice verse 21 says those which do these such things 'shall not inherit the kingdom of
God'. Can one who is guilty of such things turn away, change, and come to Christ, asking
forgiveness and be saved? Isaiah 5:18 talks about those who love to sin, even pulling
their sins around with a 'rope', kind of show and tell, hoping to teach others how to sin
also. Those don't seek Christ, don't care if they sin or not, murder, etc., so what do you
think? Our Father told us how to handle those which do great abominations, such as murder,
and as I said before, that's where the death penalty came from, i.e. God's Law. Thus,
God's Spirit is not behind any of the above 'works of the flesh'.
Gal
5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
These are all 'fruit' of God's Spirit. None of these 'fruits' of God's Spirit are against
His Law. So then, if we Walk in Christ, and not of the flesh, our works and fruit is not
bound by God's Law. That's what Paul means by not being 'under the law'. So there is a
'condition' to be met. Those who teach that all of God's Law was fulfilled upon the cross,
do so in error. If one goes out and steals something they'll soon find out just how The
Law still applies.
Gal
5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections
and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying
one another.
To
be in Christ is to overcome the flesh; it no longer controls our life, not being held in
bondage by various vanities of the flesh. We may slip up at times, but our 'true heart' is
towards Christ, and repentance is necessary to stay in His Grace.
The other Message Paul is teaching about is vain glory.
It's easy to look at the 'vain glory' of the world's ambitions for power, and try to apply
those things to positions within Christ's Body. Each person in Christ has the 'gifts'
which God furnishes to work His Plan. We are all equals in Christ as heirs, but some are
given more by God. Thus they also have a greater responsibility as God's servants. We are
not to envy each other's gifts from our Father, but help each other in His Work. It's very
easy for the flesh to get puffed up when others commend one's good work in Christ.
Pedestals and glory seeking in God's Work is vanity. If we use a 'gift' from our Father to
serve, always bear in mind that responsibility we have in Him and to others for service.
And be mindful of just how easily He can bring us down for glory seeking if needs be.
Peace to you in Christ
Jesus,
Dave Ramey.
Footnotes:
All references to "Strong's nos." are from Strong's
Exhaustive Concordance, PC Study Bible, Biblesoft, 1993-1996.
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