Sermon Talkback—January 11, 2009
Have It Your Way—Pastor Lauren Ng
Galatians 5:1, 13-25
The Context
The whole of Galatians is an argument by Paul against the influences of a group of law-oriented Judaizers—teachers who insisted that Christians were obligated to keep the Mosaic law. In the first four chapters, Paul argued against the Judaziers who had apparently gained considerable influence over the Galatian Christians. Chapters 5 and 6 are the concluding arguments where Paul presents some positive remarks.
The Text
In the face of his opponents’ arguments about the law’s continued centrality in a true believer’s heart, Paul counters that Christ’s gift to all his disciples is true freedom. In Gal. 5:1, Paul affirms this freedom as a deliverance from the “yoke of slavery” illustrated by the ritual of circumcision (5:2-12). This practice gives no special standing to those who truly seek Christ but what does matter, Paul declares, is “faith working through love” (6).
Freedom in Christ is not a freedom toward the “self-indulgence” of licentiousness (disregarding accepted rules and standards), but rather the truest mark and measure of Christian freedom is the exercise of loving service. Love is demonstrated through service to others such as one’s neighbor.
In Gal. 5:14, Paul uses the word, “law” himself to indicate that he is committed to the “second table” of the Mosaic covenant namely the ethical principles spelled out there. Another possibility is Paul is stressing the difference between the Judaziers’ concern with doing the law and his own urgings that Christians fulfill the law. Apparently, there was some combative behavior of “bite and devour one another” among the Galatian Christians in what we would call today, backbiting.
“Flesh” and “Spirit”
A simplistic reading of verses 16-21 and 22-26 divides human behavior into that of “flesh” and that of “spirit.” Because of the weakness of the flesh that humans succumb to that long litany of un-Christian behaviors. Likewise, the Spirit is understood as living in the redeemed and is influenced to live out the positive behaviors.
Another interpretation is to see “flesh” and “spirit” as redemptive-historical terms. For Paul, fleshly existence was something all people were trapped in until the events of Christ’s death and resurrection. In this model, the Mosaic law was part of the old fleshly system that existed before Christ’s redemptive death. Thus, when Paul argues against being “in the flesh” he is not simply citing “flesh” as an inferior human condition, but as a past standard that has been overwhelmed by the event of Christ’s death and resurrection. Those still in “the flesh” are the Judaziers whose teachings are causing confusion and dissension in the Galatian church.
Those in “the Spirit” are all those who live the light of Christ’s redemptive acts. To live in “the Spirit” is to experience the crucifixion of one’s own flesh (v. 24) and thus enjoy the new freedom Christ offers. It is through Christ’s freely given sacrifice that those living in his Spirit can expect the presence of the Spirit’s greatest fruits—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
What Do You Think?
When we don’t always have to have it our way, how might we begin to be “in the Spirit” so that we may have our lives living in God’s way?