Living Your Life in the Grip of Grace

Today, we are going to be talking about Galatians 5:16-26. In the fifth chapter of Galatians, Paul declares that the Christian is set free by Christ. We are no longer under the bondage of the law, but we need something, rather someone, to control us from within. That someone is the Holy Spirit. To “live by the Spirit” is presented as the solution to our battle with sinful temptations and impulses in Galatians 5:16-26.

Galatians 5:16–26 ESV

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

PRAYER

Cows in Prison

As you know, I grew up in Texas. There is an interesting phenomena about calves I would like to share with you. In the spring, yearling calves are let out of their barn for the first time. These calves had been born the summer before, so a pen in the barn was the only world they had known. They were kept there to help ensure they would survive the winter weather and to protect them from predators. When spring comes, the gates that separated the calves from the outside world are opened and they are free to go into the field. However, the calves don’t know what to do with their newfound freedom.

On a typical day they buck and jump and run around inside the pen in excitement but won’t actually leave it. Often they run right up to where the gate used to be and slam on the brakes. From a full gallop they plant their front feet and drop their noses to the floor, stopping exactly where they would have to stop if the gate was still there. Then they wheel around and sprint for the other side of the barn.

Afterward, they change their strategy and inch carefully up to the spot as if it were a snake. When they run out of nerve, they jerk back as if they were bitten. Then they run around again inside the pen like they’re on a merry-go-round; bucking , jumping, and kicking the air. It usually takes them hours to get up the nerve to leave, seemingly terrified of their sudden freedom and preferring the safety of their small enclosure as opposed to the unknown openness of the pasture outside.

These calves remind me of legalists, who prefer the limitations and security of a set of do’s and don’ts to the frightening world of walking by faith. Why would they want to stay in the barn when freedom, sunshine, and fresh air were theirs? That is the question Paul asks of the Galatian church. Having been freed from the slavery of the law, why would they want to reject their freedom and go back to the bondage of the law?

In verses 19-23 of this passage we will see two long lists of attitudes and actions. Do you identify with more of the vices in verse 19, 20, and 21, or do you see, in verses 22-23, more virtues that are present in your life? The way to get freedom from the vices and freedom to experience the virtues is through the power of the Holy Spirit. This simple truth runs into direct opposition from the legalist.

Freedom Empowered by the Holy Spirit (vv. 16-18)

Paul starts our passage, in verse 16, by stating that to experience victory we must walk, in other words live, by the Spirit. As we live our lives in dependence on and obedience to, the Holy Spirit, we will not gratify the desires of the flesh, our sinful nature.

Now, in verse 17, Paul demonstrates the need for the Holy Spirit’s enablement. He explains that the Christian will, this side of heaven, always experience conflict between the Holy Spirit and the flesh. Recognize here that the flesh is not limited to our physical flesh, rather the term encompasses anything other than God in which someone places the trust that belongs to God alone.

Paul summarizes his point in verse 18 by telling us that victory over sin is not the result of living under the law. Instead, it is the result of actively yielding to the Spirit.

The law is a system of condemnation, not one of salvation. God did not establish the law for those who receive salvation and walk in step with Him. 1 Timothy 1:9-10 tells us God established the law for those who reject Christ and walk their own path:

1 Timothy 1:9–10 ESV

9 understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, 10 the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine,

Therefore, both the first step of salvation and a Christians ongoing steps on the path of God are brought about within us by God’s Holy Spirit working through faith. To be saved, we must have faith in Christ. To walk in God’s way, we must have faith in the Holy Spirit, for He empowers us to walk in obedience.

Contrast of the Acts of the Old Nature with the Fruit of the Spirit (vv. 19-23)

In verses 19-23, Paul contrasts the acts of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit. He divides the acts of our sinful nature into four categories.

The acts of the old nature (vv. 19-21)

First, in verse 19, three sexual sins are listed. Sexual immorality is a broad term covering fornication, adultery, and homosexuality. Impurity is also a broad term referring to moral uncleanness in our thoughts, speech and actions; Paul explains “impurity” in Ephesians 5:4:

Ephesians 5:4 ESV

4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

Sensuality is unashamed boldness in these sexual sins. People who become desensitized through sexual exploits will eventually lose all modesty and instead flaunt their erotic, sinful lifestyle.

The second category is religious sin. In verse 20, Paul presents idolatry and sorcery as two religious sins. Idolatry involves submitting yourself to anyone or anything other than God. Sorcery refers to the practice of magics which allow someone to use evil powers.

Continuing in verse 20, Paul now lists eight social sins. They run the gamut from enmity, or hatred, to the actions of strife and jealousy that result in rivalry and division. Loving others is not easy. When the flesh controls us, problems in our relationships with others is the result.

Finally, in verse 21, two drug-related sins are listed: drunkenness and orgies. Drunkenness is referring not only to alcohol but to the use of any substance that impairs your thinking. Paul lists orgies to exemplify sins performed under the influence of these drugs. Some Christians use the excuse of drunkenness for their poor behavior, but Paul explicitly signifies that we are still accountable. Alcohol and drugs control people and distorts their thinking. Many people, under the influence, have committed grievous sins. Rather than being controlled by alcohol and/or drugs, the Christian is to be controlled by the Holy Spirit.

While a Christian may occasionally fall into these sins listed in verses 19-23, Paul’s target are those who habitually and continually live like this. He states they will not inherit the kingdom of God.

The fruit of the Holy Spirit (vv. 22-23)

In contrast to the “acts of the flesh” above, Paul says in verse 22-23 that those who are obedient to the Holy Spirit produce spiritual fruit. Notice the fruit in this passage is called the fruit of the Spirit, not the fruit of self-effort. This is the fruit the Holy Spirit produces in the life of a Christian. In other passages of Scripture, we are commanded to fulfill each of these characteristics; but it seems difficult to the Christian as they all conflict with our human nature. The answer to this seeming paradox, I believe, is that only the Holy Spirit can produce the fruit; but He will only do so if we are striving to the best of our ability to be faithfully obedient. Paul goes on to explain that these fruits of the Spirit are not produced by the law but rather by the Spirit working through a believer’s faith.

The acts of the flesh symbolize spiritual death, but the fruit of the Spirit is evidence of spiritual life.

The Solution to the Sinful Struggle (vv. 24-26)

The struggle between our flesh and our new nature is real. Yet there is more truth to help us win this battle.

Recognize that your old nature is dead (v. 24)

Paul explains, in verse 24, that those who know Jesus Christ do not have to respond to the flesh because they have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Paul illustrates that this crucifixion refers to our identification with Christ in his death and resurrection in Galatians 2:20:

Galatians 2:20 ESV

20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

When Christ died, our flesh was judged. This does not mean our tendency to sin has been eradicated, however, we must accept that our old nature has died with Christ and that as new people we have an increasing power to resist sin. We see this more clearly in the message of Romans 6:10-12:

Romans 6:10–12 ESV

10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions.

Live in sync with the Holy Spirit (v. 25)

In addition to the flesh that is judged, Paul reminds us, in verse 25, that we have the Holy Spirit to strengthen us against sin.

We must keep in step by following the Holy Spirit’s direction and guidance. He is the one that ends our bondage to evil desires.

Humbly treat others with respect (v. 26)

Finally, in verse 26, Paul challenges us to live a life of harmony. Conceited legalism sees no need of the Spirit’s help and thinks it can accomplish salvation apart from the Spirit. Instead, this thinking will lead to arguments with others and separation from God. Paul instructs us to stop provoking and envying each other. These negative traits point to divisions in the church. The only answer to such disharmony is love empowered by the Holy Spirit.

The Christian has died to sin and is alive to a Spirit-controlled life of righteousness.

Live in the Grip of Grace

In Galatians 5:16-26, Paul challenges us to live in freedom from the law. He tells us to walk in love by the power of the Holy Spirit and tells us how we can break free of the tyranny of sin - not that we will never sin again but that we need not be in bondage to sin.

Choose your bondage's well. Make yourself a slave to Christ.

Catch sin early. Like cancer, it spreads.

Imitate Jesus in all you do.

This idea causes us to pose the question: “Does grace promote sin?” Legalists make the claim that complete forgiveness in Christ, without human effort to be “good”, will give Christians the freedom to run wild, morally. They reject grace because they believe it gives Christians a license to sin. The opposite is true, however. If someone has truly experienced grace, it makes them want to be more holy, not more sinful. If someone has tasted the fresh fruit of grace, a steadfast resolve to be more like Christ is the result.

Chuck Colson, founder of Prison Fellowship, tells a remarkable story of the power of grace being manifested in a prison near the city of Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil. In 1979, the Brazilian government turned the prison over to two Christians, who began to run it on Christian principles. With the exception of two full-time staff, inmates do all the work. Families outside the prison adopt an inmate to work with during and after the term of imprisonment. Colson heard about the prison and one day visited it. He reported:

When I visited, I found the inmates smiling - particularly the murderer who held the keys, opened the gates, and let me in. Wherever I walked, I saw men at peace. I saw clean living areas, [and] people working industriously. The walls were decorated with Biblical sayings from Psalms and Proverbs. My guide escorted me to the notorious prison cell once used for torture. Today, he told me, that block houses only a single inmate. As we reached the end of a long concrete corridor and he put the key in the lock, he paused and asked, “Are you sure you want to go in?”

“Of course,” I replied impatiently, “I’ve been in isolation cells all over the world.” Slowly he swung open the massive door, and I saw the prisoner in that punishment cell: a crucifix, beautifully carved by the inmates - the prisoner, Jesus, hanging on a cross.

“He’s doing time for the rest of us,” my guide said softly.

Christ sets people free. We don’t have to remain in bondage because Jesus has paid the price for our crime. Just as it would be absurd for a prisoner who has served his time to want to stay behind bars, even so it is absurd for us to remain in the penitentiary of sin. We are now free. We are released from the prison of sin. Christ has done our time for us.

Therefore, exercise your Christian liberty today. You have freedom to say, “No,” to sin and, “Yes,” to God. That’s your powerful privilege in Christ! You are no longer a slave to sin. When you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour, he gave you the freedom to become a slave of righteousness. Be disgusted by your old, damaging bondage to sin, and celebrate your new, life-giving bondage to Christ. Everybody is somebody’s slave. Whose slave are you? As a slave of Christ, your greatest joy will be the peaceful fruit of righteousness.