For freedom Christ freed us. Stand fast therefore and do not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1
When I think about the way sin enslaves an individual, two circumstances come to mind. There are those who willingly indulge in sin with a boastful attitude, and those who hide their sin with the formalities of a religious life. Paul ran into these problems with his churches all the time. In Corinthians, we found a church that was party spirited and carelessly taking pride in the influence of their surrounding pagan culture. In Galatians, men were competing to prove their righteousness by the works of the law. In both cases, men had forgotten for what purpose they were made free.
Freedom is a big word in a world where we often feel trapped by daily circumstances. We are bound to our jobs, families, titles, and sometimes to our own mistakes. While freedom is something we all would like to experience in some form, somehow we can’t help but find ourselves feeling stuck in some kind of dilemma.
For the Galatians, this enslavement was to the bondage of gaining praise from men. The church, which was likely established years before Paul’s letter, found themselves depending on the deeds of the law to make a case for their own righteousness. They had forgotten that there was no need to prove they were free from the sins of their past. God had already freed them through the redemption in Christ.
In making these attempts to prove they were “spiritual elites” the Galatians wound up committing internal sins. Conflict rose up in the church because they failed to consider the conditions of their hearts. Although they could paint a righteous appeal by their attire and eloquent terminology, the pride within them was being neglected.
By the end of the chapter, Paul summed up the real need for the church of Galatia.
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control; against such there is no law. Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be conceited, provoking one another and envying one another. Galatians 5:22-26
Notice how every characteristic of the spirit of God is rooted in the heart? Paul did not list specific actions or rituals because he know they would become a way to cover up the real issue. Paul wanted the Galatians to focus on the heart knowing this was the cause to the divisions of the church.
Are you finding yourself in a place of conflict with your fellow believers? Perhaps someone treated you as if you were less significant. Maybe you have been asked to prove yourself. Whatever the case may be, always remember what Paul says about the freedom we find in the Spirit of God. We were not set free from sin so we could work to be forgiven of our sins. We were freed so we could live with the confidence of our freedom.
By Andrew Inman