Galatians 5:13 "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another."

The gospel brings the believer into the constraint of the love of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:14 ) that it keeps us within the bounds of right living because we are loved by Him, and we love Him who gave Himself for us. Therefore we live to praise Him. (Romans 6:8 ). We were set at liberty to be free to yield our bodies and minds as instruments of righteousness. If there must be bondage let it be the love ties of mutual serving. But through love serve one another (Galatians 5:13 ). Remember we are to serve one another with love, but nowhere are we told to be masters of one another. We are brethren (Galatians 5:13 ). In our debt of love to Him we are indebted to one another (Romans 13:8 ).

Galatians 5:14 "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself.""

A perfect love would keep the whole. We now have to let that love of God poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit so abundantly, flow out in love ministry to others, and we fulfil not only the law, but the spirit of the law. Love to God and love to our neighbour are connected (1 John 4:7 ).

Galatians 5:15 "But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another."

The picture is taken from wild beasts which tear their victims to pieces till nothing is left. It is the very opposite of love serving and could lead to the breaking up of their fellowship altogether. Freedom through faith brings freedom to love and serve God and one another.

Galatians 5:16 "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh."

The warfare between the natural, fleshly desires and the indwelling Holy Spirit must never be thought of as a struggle between equal contestants. Walking in the might of the Holy Spirit we may not only overcome fleshly sins, we are able to dominate and reign over all that is contrary to the Spirit because we will to do what the Spirit wishes, not what the flesh desires. (Galatians 5:17; Romans 6:14 ).

Galatians 5:18 "But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law."

We are no longer under the law of sin and death (Romans 7:4 ). We are free to experience the abundant life of Christ (Romans 8:1-8 ). Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit the believer by his co-operative yielding to the Spirit's leading, is led to mature living that fulfils God's desires and standard for his life. Moreover, the believer does not tremble before the law because Christ has fulfilled it, and as the justified he is free to be led by the Spirit into pleasing God. The guidance or regulation of the Holy Spirit from within is better than any outward regulation. Through our spirit conscience He warns us and by communication to our spirit directs us, developing our spiritual man in strength to walk in Him and His victorious leading.

Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19 ) and is spoken of in Scripture with respect (Romans 12:1 ). The flesh is condemned as the evil nature. In these verses (Galatians 5:19-21 ) the works or different forms of transgression are listed.

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Forms Of Fleshly Impurity

"Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness" (Galatians 5:19 KJV). Irresponsible lack of sexual purity marks every level of our society today. Its worst forms are blatantly indulged in modern media. Increased permissiveness is measured by the high divorce rate and broken homes, and lack of proper role models in society's leadership. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11 ).

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Forms Of Idolatrous Bondage

"Idolatry, witchcraft" (Galatians 5:20 KJV). Idolatry is the worship of false gods and of images. Greek 'eidololatreia', image - worship (1 Corinthians 10:14; Galatians 5:20; Colossians 3:5 ). Witchcraft, Greek 'pharmakeia,' sorcery, practice of dealing with evil spirits, magical incantations and casting spells and charms upon one by means of drugs and potions of various kinds (Galatians 5:20; Revelation 9:21; 18:23 ). Some may claim that they would never be involved in witchcraft or sorcery, but live in rebellion against God. This is likened to witchcraft (1 Samuel 15:23 ). Stubborn self will that will not conform to truth nor to God's will, is as sinful as witchcraft before God.

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Forms Of Social Hostility

"Hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies" (Galatians 5:20 NKJV), "envyings, murders" (Galatians 5:21 KJV) The works of the flesh work terrible havoc in human society. Notice there is a progression of viciousness from hatred to murder with so much evil emotion in between. Part of the social violence is named as heresies. As a work of the flesh it is descending from the truth and a determination to isolate from the mainstream of truth as many as will agree with the error, with an exalting of the propagator in the process. All deviation from truth is heresy (Galatians 5:20; 1 Corinthians 11:19; 2 Peter 2:1 ).

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Forms Of Personal Excesses

"Drunkenness, revellings, and such like" (Galatians 5:21 KJV). Living as a slave to drink and drunken bouts. Revelling includes rioting (Romans 13:13 ), accompanied at times by obscene music and other sinful, lustful activities, and other forms of dissipation. Tragically these forms of personal excess abound in our society today.

Galatians 5:21 "... of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."

Such works of the flesh are inconsistent with the nature of the kingdom of God. Those born from above will not give themselves willingly to such sins. Neither will the one who has received the divine nature habitually sin. (1 John 3:9 ). Bondage to the flesh in this life is constantly shown throughout the New Testament to bar entrance into the consummated kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Ephesians 5:5; 1 Thessalonians 2:12; 2 Thessalonians 1:5 ). The terrible alternative to having the kingdom of God closed to the transgressor is entering into indignation and wrath (Romans 2:8 ).

Romans 2:9 "Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, ..."

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. What kind of service do you find yourself compelled to do, by the love of Christ? (Galatians 5:13; 2 Corinthians 5:14 )
2. How is it possible for you to fulfil not only the law, but the spirit of the law? (Galatians 5:14 ).
3. Can you illustrate that living the victorious Christian life is possible by living all your life in the Spirit? (Galatians 5:16 ).
4. Do you agree that by the Holy Spirit regulating our spirit conscience, He directs us into a God-pleasing life? (Galatians 5:18 ).
5. Can you divide the list of the works of the flesh under the divisions of: sexual sins - religious sins - social sins - intemperate sins? (Galatians 5:19-21 ).
6. Do you understand Paul to be saying that those who habitually practice the works of the flesh, do not know the rule of God in their hearts? (Galatians 5:21 ).