Daily Scripture Reading Galatians 5:16 - 6:18
It is normal for humans to desire approval. We want people to like and respect us. We do not want to have a reputation for being foolish or stupid. This reality of human nature makes it very tempting for Christians to compromise the Bible because many times the conventional wisdom of our society is in opposition to the truths found in the Bible.
Paul found himself in a similar situation. Paul was a Jew, and many of his fellow Jews were opposed to his teaching that Gentiles did not need to become Jews in order to be saved. The result was Paul faced much persecution for his teaching.
Paul did not compromise the truth. His letter to the Galatians was written to proclaim the truth that Gentiles did not need to become Jews in order to be saved. His willingness to endure persecution and scorn in order to stand up for the truth is an example we should follow as we live in a society that is opposed to the truth documented in the Bible.
In yesterday’s passage, Paul used Sarah and Hagar as an allegory to convince the Galatians that Christians do not need to be circumcised and obey the Law of Moses. Part of his language was that Christians are free from the Law. However, he also warned us not to turn our freedom into an opportunity for the flesh. He continues that thought in today’s passage.
Gal. 5:16 ¶ But I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
Gal. 5:17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you do not do the things that you want.
Note the words “against” and “opposition”. As Christians, we need to realize we are in a contest against our flesh.
The trend in Christianity today is to make people comfortable. Many Pastors try to avoid offending people when they preach. Most church services are designed to appeal to the emotions and make people feel good. All of those are appeals to the flesh, but we should be actively opposing the flesh.
Gal. 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.
Gal. 5:19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,
Gal. 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions,
Gal. 5:21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Note that this list of egregious sins like drunkenness and sexual immorality also includes “tame” sins like envy and selfishness.
Gal. 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Gal. 5:23 gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.
The extent to which you are the description found in verses 22-23 is an indication of your spiritual maturity.
Gal. 5:24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Gal. 5:25 ¶ If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk in step with the Spirit.
Gal. 5:26 Let us not become those with vain glory, challenging one another, envying one another.
Gal. 6:1 ¶ Brothers, even if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, each of you looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.
Gal. 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Gal. 6:3 For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
Gal. 6:4 But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another.
Gal. 6:5 For each one will bear his own load.
Gal. 6:6 ¶ And the one who is instructed in the word is to share in all good things with the one who instructs him.
This verse justifies and requires that Christians provide a means of living to those who teach the Bible.
Gal. 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.
Gal. 6:8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
Gal. 6:9 And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.
Sometimes in life we will do good things, but will not get good in return. We must be patient and persevere in doing good.
Gal. 6:10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
Gal. 6:11 ¶ See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand!
Gal. 6:12 As many as are wanting to make a good showing in the flesh, these are trying to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.
The reason Paul wrote this letter to the churches in Galatia was because some people were telling the Galatians that Gentile Christians needed to be circumcised and obey the Law of Moses. Paul wrote this letter to refute that false teaching.
The reason some were teaching circumcision is because they did not want to be persecuted. Non-believing Jews were persecuting Paul because he was teaching Gentiles could be saved without becoming Jews. Other Jewish believers did not want to be persecuted in the same way, so they taught that the Gentiles needed to become Jews in order to be saved; thus, compromising the truth and protecting themselves from the same scorn faced by Paul.
We have a similar problem today. The Bible is clear that marriage is between one man and one woman, but some Christians are compromising on that belief because they don’t want to be persecuted by our culture which has adopted a different view.
The Bible is clear that God created the universe and everything in it about 6,000 years ago in six literal days, but many Christians are compromising the Biblical teaching on Creation because they want to get along with secular society which has a different belief.
The world is opposed to God, which means it is opposed to God’s truth. Christians need to stand up for the truth, regardless of the persecution or scorn we will face for doing so.
Gal. 6:13 For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they want to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh.
Gal. 6:14 But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Pay attention to the phrase “the world has been crucified to me”. Paul made a clean break with the world and had no desire to earn the approval of the world. Christians in the 21st century should have no desire to earn the approval of our culture. Even though we like to be liked, Christians must stand up for the truth regardless of the contempt and mockery that will be thrown upon us by our culture.
Gal. 6:15 For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
Gal. 6:16 And those who will walk in step with this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
Gal. 6:17 ¶ From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
Gal. 6:18 ¶ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.
People have a desire for approval. They do not want to be scorned or maligned. However, the world is opposed to God, which means it is opposed to God’s truth. Whenever Christians hold to Biblical truth, we will be in opposition to the world. We must be willing to be mocked and jeered for our beliefs. We must not compromise in order to gain the world’s approval.
How strongly do you and your church stand up for the Biblical teaching on Creation and marriage?
What are some other areas where our society is opposed to Biblical truth, meaning holding to the truth of the Bible will bring disdain and disrespect from the world?
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“Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com.”