![]() ![]() ![]() Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, [fn] and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing.And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law.You have become estranged from Christ, you who [attempt to] be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?This persuasion does not [come] from Him who calls you.A little leaven leavens the whole lump.I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is.And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased.I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off!For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not [use] liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.For all the law is fulfilled in one word, [even] in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,1envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told [you] in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.And those [who are] Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.Galations5 Heavenly Father, Thank you for sending Christ to set us free. Help us to stand firm in the faith as we grow in righteousness. I pray that you will give us opportunities to show our faith by sharing Christ’s love. Lord, I know that there are times when we are led astray and follow temptation into sin. we pray that you will continue to convict our heart and draw us back to you in those times. Please help us to continue to run the race toward being Christlike. wegive thank that you will give us a servant’s heart so that we can show others your love. Help me to remember your commands and obey them in love and not for show. Holy Spirit, guide us that we follow you instead of our sinful nature. There are so many times when our spirit is in conflict with our nature. we want to follow what we know is right so that we are not led into sin. Keep me away from sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions envy, drunkenness, orgies, etc. Even if any of these sins become a temptation for us; I pray that we will follow your Spirit and obey your commands. Lord Jesus,weI want our lives to produce the fruit that comes from you. may we fulfill the spirit of love, a spirit of joy, a spirit of peace, a spirit of patience, a spirit of kindness, a spirit of goodness, a spirit of faithfulness, a spirit of gentleness, and a spirit of self-control. we know that if we live in the Spirit that we will be able to stand firm when temptation crosses our path. praises unto you for continuing to help us grow in you through the abilities and attributes in Christ Jesus. Amen. |