Welcome to episode 157 of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we continue our study in the Book of Galatians, covering chapters 5:13-21. The series is called “Free.”  Today, we will cover: 

• Freedom expressed in love (vv. 13-15) 
• Yield to the Spirit (vv. 16-18) 
• Marks of the flesh (vv. 19-21) 

Key takeaways: 

• Paul is concerned that freedom the Galatians enjoy in Christ may be abused and become an occasion for the selfish will to dominate. 
• On the one hand, believers must choose to live by the Spirit, while on the other hand, the Spirit empowers believers to live a life pleasing to God. 
• The Spirit and the flesh stand in opposition to each other, so neither the desires of the flesh nor the desires of the Spirit are actualized. 
• The Spirit’s empowering presence grants believers the ability to conquer the desires of the flesh. 
• Doing the works of the flesh cannot be dismissed as inconsequential, for Paul warns the Galatians that those who make a practice of doing such will not inherit the end-time kingdom. 
• Good works are not the basis of justification, but they are most certainly, though still imperfect and partial, a consequence of justification. 

Quotable: 

• We can become enslaved to something by emphasizing our freedom. 

Application: 

• Freedom manifests itself as love, as a desire to fulfill the needs of others. 
• Love asks how others can be served and edified in a way that accords with the gospel of Jesus Christ. 
• If believers live in the Spirit, then they will not put into practice the desires of the flesh. 
• The opposition between the flesh and the Spirit is the normal Christian life, which is not marked by perfection but by war. 
• Believers who live by the Spirit will not carry out the flesh’s desires. 

Connect with us: 

Web site:  https://springbaptist.org 

Facebook:   

https://www.facebook.com/SBCKleinCampus (Klein Campus) 

https://www.facebook.com/SpringBaptist (Spring Campus) 

Need us to pray for you?  Submit your prayer request to https://springbaptist.org/prayer/ 

If you haven’t already done so, please leave us a rating and review in your podcast provider.