SCRIPTURE BY CHARLENE BROWN
Scripture Lesson Text: Galatians 5:1-17
Related Scriptures: John 8:31-36; Acts 15:1-21; l Corinthians 7:17-24, 2 Corinthians 3:12-18
In our Scripture Lesson today we find ourselves in the book of Galatians, a book said to be one of the earlier letters written by the Apostle Paul. Galatians has also been said to be Paul’s most intense letter; it was written to defend and clarify the truth of the gospel.
The Galatians started well but then false teachers hindered them with false teachings and were at risk of falling back into bondage. “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”( Galatians 5:1)
John 8:31-36 are selected scriptures to identify and reveal what is genuine salvation and the meaning of true discipleship. John made it a point to make a clear distinction between what is truth and what is freedom. The message was directed towards those who were new in their walk of faith in Christ Jesus. It is Christ’s desire that we mature from a place of saving faith to a continued progression as true disciples. “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, (32).And you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”( John 8:31-32)
In the related scriptures Acts 15:1-21, we see the same issue being challenged as in today’s lesson, the issue of being saved by works or by grace. We have here in Acts the challenge towards the Jewish Council’s doctrine concerning the question, “What must a person do to be saved?” “And certain men which came down from Judea taught the brethren and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved”( Acts 15:1). In 1 Corinthians 7, we see discontentment amongst new believers concerning those who were slaves who desired freedom and those who used their faith as license to continue in sin. 2 Corinthians 3 speaks of hope in Christ and the promises of the new covenant.
SYNOPSIS BY JANICE HALL
Paul addresses the people to let them know that they were called into liberty, not slavery. They were not to use this liberty to sin, but to love and serve others. We must resist being pulled away from the freedom we have in Christ to follow the law. We must be aware of wasting our freedom on serving our sinful desires instead of serving others in love. We are able to do this by the Power of God’s Spirit within us.
A group of Judaizers were pressuring the Galatians to submit to physical circumcision in order to be acceptable to God. Paul says that faith in Christ must be faith in Christ alone and nothing else. Paul writes to follow the law cuts us off from Christ, because we are asking God to judge us by our own works and not by Christ’s.
Paul writes, that we can overcome our sinful desires and focus on serving others by the power of God’s Spirit. God’s Spirit is given to us when we trust in Christ for our salvation. The Holy Spirit is powerful and gives believers the supernatural ability to love as Christ does instead of serving self.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION BY JANICE HALL
As we focus on the Golden Text (Galatian 5:1), it gives us clarity that through faithfulness and obedience to Jesus, we are able to lead a Christian life without being subjected to religious ceremonies or rituals. Paul was giving caution to the Galatians that they can be justified only by faith in Jesus and that the law of Moses was no longer effective for Christians. When we see the word” free” ( freedom) means we can serve others in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and reap the reward of joy that comes from it. We are free to follow the Holy Spirit and produce good works that endures forever, because we have faith in God and obey His word. Further studies in Galatians, we see we can be generous and help others and especially other Christians.
This treasured freedom we have in Christ, is ours by grace through Faith in Him. How wonderful to discover this godly liberty we have in Christ, who has set us free from the yoke of bondage, by means of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is working daily in us, with transforming our new life in Christ into the likeness of the Lord Jesus Christ.
“ If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed”( John 8: 36).
Lord, we thank you that we have been set free by Christ and we are no longer under the bondages to the law. Thank you through the work of the Holy Spirit, we are enable to live our life for others, and not for selfish tendencies. Thank you Lord, for the continuous work in us and through us, so that we may live a life that is pleasing to You.
We glorify Your name, from keeping us from falling back under bondage, legalistic practices, knowing we have been set free by grace through faith in Christ’s finished work on Calvary.
