Galatians # 16 Gal 5-6 thru 5-14
We’re going to continue on the book of Galatians, so let’s pick up where we left off last time.
I) GAL 5:6-7
A) In the 1st part of (V 7) Paul says, “Ye did run well.”
1) He likens the Faith walk to a race, in which many can complete.
(a) But when was it that the Churches at Galatia were running their race well?
(i) The 1st time Paul came to Galatia.
2) Turn with me to ACT 14
(a) I just wanted to look at their life of faith.
(i) ACT 14:1, (Iconium – 1 of the cities of Galatia.) ACT 14:3, ACTS 14:8-10, ACTS 14:19-20, THEN in (V 22 He exhorted them to continue in the faith.
(ii) From reading (Acts 14) and putting it together with the Book of Galatians we can also see that they were set free form IDOLATRY, and liberated from to the LAW of SIN and DEATH.
(iii) In the book of ACTS, it talks about Paul going back Jerusalem to talk with the Christians leaders, mainly Peter and James, but it’s mentioned that they were filled with the Holy Ghost.
B) They began to run the Christian race well, but something happened.
1) The last ½ of (GAL 5:7) Says, “Who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?”
(a) The word “HINDER” comes from a Greek word, which also refers to a foot race, but this word also refers to someone cutting across the path of another KNOCKING HIM OFF HIS STRIDE and SLOWING HIM DOWN or EVEN CAUSING HIM TO FALL.
2) Why did Paul say that they had begun so well, but now someone had tripped them up?
(a) Again the Legalistic Judaizers who were Christians came saying that all Christians need to keep the LAW, THE JEWISH TRADITIONS and CUSTOMS.
(b) Paul said that that was not a help to the Gospel, but a hindrance and it is error, leading you away from the truth and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
(i) Why keep the custom and traditions?
(ii) They’re only kept because they think that keeping those things will make them more spiritual, more holy, or closer to God.
(c) That may not sound bad, but what that says is that the work of Jesus is not enough, salvation does not come through Jesus alone, but keeping traditions and customs is necessary.
(i) Salvation, as well as spirituality, comes only by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
(ii) (Ephesians 2:8-9) says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” KJV
(iii) Salvation, as well as being made spiritual, only comes by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, not of works, or customs, or traditions.
(iv) So whether you are Jew or Gentile to go back to keeping tradition or customs is to slap Jesus right in the face.
(a) It’s saying that His death and resurrection was not enough, now we need to do more.
(b) According to what Paul said this is a big problem.
3) Most of the book of Galatians is written about this.
(a) Going back to keeping Tradition or Customs WILL hinder your Christian walk.
(i) Not only can it hinder you, but also it can cause you to fall.
(ii) The word FALL is in reference to FALLING AWAY from the Lord and losing their salvation.
(b) Paul doesn’t invest this much time in a subject for no reason. He gives it great importance.
II) GAL 5:8-9
A) Leaven here refers to Yeast. In the Bible it never refers to anything good, it’s always bad.
1) The leaven that he’s talking about here is the LAW, Tradition and Customs.
(a) Leaven or yeast spreads throughout the whole lump.
(b) The Law, Tradition, and Customs affect the entire being and causes it’s downfall.
(i) Don’t sit under something that is going to bring your downfall. Go bowling instead.
III) GAL 5:10-14
A) In Verse 12 Paul makes an interesting statement (Read V 12 again). Out of deep concern for the gospel Paul uttered a strong expression. He wished that the Judaizers, who were so enthusiastic about circumcision, would go the whole way and castrate themselves, as did the pagan priests of the cult of Cybele in Asia Minor.[1]
1) In (Galatians 5:13) Paul says, “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh.”
2) We have been called to a liberty or a freedom, and that is a freedom from the LAW, a freedom from Traditions, and a freedom from Religious Customs.
(a) But Paul goes on to say, “Now that you are free form the Law, don’t use that to do anything the flesh want to do.”
(b) He tells us how we can be strong and not walk in the flesh, and that is by walking in LOVE.
(i) Love 1 another and love GOD.
(ii) When you love 1 another you’re not going to do anything against someone else.
(iii) And if you love God you’re going to keep His commandments and you won’t do anything against Him.
Galatians#16 Gal5:6-14.docx
WOLCC Thursday, July 24, 1997
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[1]Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-c1985). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures (2:606). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.