Here are a few of my ponderings from Galatians 5:
Galatians 5:1 says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. STAND FIRM, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
I cannot read this verse without my mind conjuring up a picture of William Wallace just before he died in the movie Braveheart.
Paul is equally as passionate in this passage as he tries to help the Galatians understand that they are on the verge of throwing away their freedom – a freedom that was gained for them by Christ at the cross.
Here are some questions that arise out of this text that we need to take to heart:
1) Do we believe that what Christ did for us at the cross was enough – or do we need to supplement what He did with our own good works? (verses 2-6)
2) Where are we getting our “truth” from – is it from the infallible Word of God or is it from fallible teachers?(verses 7-12)
3) Is our energy going into fighting the world, the flesh, and the devil – or into fighting with one another? (verses 13-15)
4) Are we living by the Spirit, finding our strength daily in and through Him- or are we trying to live the Christian life in our own power? (verses 16-26)
Paul’s words in verse 1 ought to be a clarion call to all believers who desire to live in the freedom that has already been won for us: STAND FIRM!
STAND FIRM in the shadow of the cross. STAND FIRM on the life-giving, soul-nourishing Word of God. STAND FIRM with like minded believers as we battle the enemies of the gospel. STAND FIRM by the power of the Spirit.
**********
Here are a few questions to help get you thinking as you ponder Galatians 6 this week:
v1 – Are we “our brother’s keeper” when it comes to dealing with sin in each other’s lives?
v2 – What are some practical ways that we can “carry one another’s burdens”?
v7-8 – How have you seen this principle play out in your own life?
v9 – What is Paul referring to here when he mentions the harvest that we will reap?
v10 – Ponder the practical aspects of the phrase “as we have opportunity.”