Galatians 5:1, 13-25 (NRSV)
Read Galatians 5:1, 13-25 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 5For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Verse 13For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. Verse 14For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Verse 15If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. Verse 16Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. Verse 17For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. Verse 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. Verse 19Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, Verse 20idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, Verse 21envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Verse 22By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, Verse 23gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. Verse 24And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Verse 25If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.
Devotion
In a week, our nation will celebrate freedom. Sounds simple, yet much of the history of our country could be told around questions of freedom: Who is free? Are there limits to our freedoms? What does it mean to be free?
In the same way, the story of the early church could be told around questions of freedom. Are we truly free in Christ? Isn’t there something we have to do to earn salvation? In Galatians, Paul first argues passionately that Christ makes us truly and fully free.
Now, suddenly, he changes tack. To be free in Christ does not mean we simply follow our own will without regard for God, self or others. For we have new roots! And rooted in Christ, nourished in the Spirit, we are free to bear good fruits, like love and faithfulness. We are free to be the people God intended us to be.
Prayer
Gracious God, free us from our sin and all the things which keep us from loving you and our neighbor. Amen.