Encounter the Truth

There is an internal conflict within the believer’s heart between the Spirit and the sinful nature. Both the Spirit and the sinful nature produce distinctive fruit. Paul calls us to live by the Spirit and to keep in step with the Spirit, producing fruit in keeping with the Spirit.

There are two dangers associated with our freedom in Christ. One is that we will forfeit it as we slip into legalism and try to justify ourselves before God; the other is that we will use our freedom as a license from sin. True freedom in the gospel allows no room for either.

There are two dangers associated with our freedom in Christ. One is that we will forfeit it as we slip into legalism and try to justify ourselves before God; the other is that we will use our freedom as a license from sin. True freedom in the gospel allows no room for either.

Having been set free from the demands of the law, it would be all too easy to slip into legalism once more. But we are children of the promise. If we trust in Jesus, we are true children of God and enjoy true freedom in him.

Having been set free from the demands of the law, it would be all too easy to slip into legalism once more. But we are children of the promise. If we trust in Jesus, we are true children of God and enjoy true freedom in him.

Through Christ, we are adopted as God’s true children. Because our standing is not based on Old Testament law, our access to God does not depend on being Jewish—and so, in Christ, all people who believe in him share in God’s promised salvation. Having this standing and this access, we can call God “Abba, Father.”

Through Christ, we are adopted as God’s true children. Because our standing is not based on Old Testament law, our access to God does not depend on being Jewish—and so, in Christ, all people who believe in him share in God’s promised salvation. Having this standing and this access, we can call God “Abba, Father.”

It may seem as though God’s Law and his promises in Christ stand opposed to one another, but Paul shows us that the law had the effect of leading us to Christ and to find justification by faith in him. Wonderfully, Christ brings us freedom from the "supervision" of the law. We live in the joy of sins forgiven and a relationship with God based on the merits of Jesus alone.

It may seem as though God’s Law and his promises in Christ stand opposed to one another, but Paul shows us that the law had the effect of leading us to Christ and to find justification by faith in him. Wonderfully, Christ brings us freedom from the "supervision" of the law. We live in the joy of sins forgiven and a relationship with God based on the merits of Jesus alone.

Although the coming and work of Christ might look like God’s plan “B” when salvation by works failed, actually, Paul shows us that God’s promises and plans through the Old Testament point to Christ and find fulfilment in him. Law-keeping was never the means of salvation, and we must never fall back into thinking that it could ever save.