Message: Paul addresses the Galatians with an aggressive letter to point the people back to Christ. The Galatians are adding requirements to salvation. Paul compares the people to the Israelites and Moses from captivity, rescue, provisions and the wilderness. Paul points to God's faithfulness, the purpose of the Law and Christ in their lives. Christ has freed us from sin and the Law, paying our debt of sin from breaking the Law, saving us from death. Christ has freed us from ourselves as we attempt to make an idealized version of ourselves, only to achieve below God's standard. We have rest in Christ, His yolk is our freedom from slavery to the Law. Like the Israelites, anything less than God's provision is a return to slavery and potentially worse conditions. Paul also questions their intentions, seeing a dilution of the gospel. He reveals the trap of legalism tied to their lists of rules and things to do, which they are using for evidence of salvation and judgments. We're to be on guard for ourselves and others for the subtleties and trickery of works based faith, which entraps us into trying to save ourselves. Salvation by grace is a confession and belief in Jesus, evidenced by the presence of the Holy Spirit's influence in our lives, giving us access to God. Paul stresses the seriousness of following the commands of the Lord to display the freedom of expressing His goodness and glory. In freedom we use the Holy Spirit to instruct us. Using God's grace to sin, entices sin and ways to justify it. Freedom is to be used around those who are of like consciousness, otherwise sin inadvertently by tempting others. Our ability to access the throne of God is freedom. How do we daily live out freedom? Love God, love our neighbors, though we may fail at times. Reject teaching that says we can save ourselves. Seek forgiveness of others. Love and sacrifice ourselves for those around us. In all things, rest in Jesus.
Scripture: Galatians 5: 1-6 "Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love." - NKJV
