Wednesday | 19 June 2019
Noting that the Galatians had begun in the Spirit, and had been ‘running well’ on the pathway of salvation that Christ had pioneered for them, Paul asked, ‘Who hindered you from obeying the truth?’ Gal 5:7. When the Galatians were obeying the truth, they were slaves of obedience. Rom 6:16.
Of course, the motivation to pursue self‑righteousness as slaves of sin does not come from Christ! Gal 5:8. This motivation comes from Satan. In the same way that Eve had been deceived and deluded by Satan’s lie, the Galatian Christians had begun to believe a lie, and had fallen under the same delusion. They believed that they could have life through self‑righteousness. Paul said that they had been ‘bewitched’! Gal 3:1.
Nevertheless, Paul declared to the Galatians that he was confident in the Lord that, having received his message, they would adopt no view other than that which he had ministered to them, by the Spirit, as a messenger of Christ. He also warned that those who, through their own self‑righteousness, endeavoured to persuade believers to live according to the principles of the flesh, would be judged by God. Gal 5:10. We note, in this regard, that anyone who promotes this kind of leaven in the church, and in so doing fosters a faction or division among the Lord’s people, will come under judgement.
Paul reminded the Galatians that they, as sons of God, had been called to freedom. Gal 5:13. This was the same freedom that Christ spoke of when He said that freedom is deliverance from sin, which has control over our life. Joh 8:34‑36. This freedom, however, must not become an opportunity for the flesh. That is, it is not an opportunity for self‑righteous projection. Such a mindset only serves to bring a person back into bondage to fear and death. Heb 2:14-15.
Further Study:
Galatians 1
Daily Proverb:
References:
Gal 5:7-8
You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you.
Rom 6:16
Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?
Gal 3:1
You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?
Gal 5:10
I have confidence in you in the Lord that you will adopt no other view; but the one who is disturbing you will bear his judgement, whoever he is.
Gal 5:13
For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Joh 8:34-36
Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.’
Heb 2:14-15
Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.