STAND, RUN, WALK
Galatians 5:1-25
by: Pastor Edward Vincent Barcial
Watchman Nee (1903–1972) was a Chinese Christian author and church leader during the early 20th century. He spent the last 20 years of his life in prison and was severely persecuted by the Communists in China. He once told about a new convert who came in deep distress to see him. "No matter how much I pray, no matter how hard I try, I simply cannot seem to be faithful to my Lord. I think I'm losing my salvation."
Nee said, "Do you see this dog here? He is my dog. He is house-trained; he never makes a mess; he is obedient; he is a pure delight to me. Out in the kitchen I have a son, a baby son. He makes a mess, he throws his food around, he fouls his clothes, he is a total mess. But who is going to inherit my kingdom? Not my dog; my son is my heir. You are Jesus Christ's heir because it is for you that He died." We are Christ's heirs, not through our perfection but by means of His grace.
Many young believers fall into the trap of good works as a means of salvation whereas we are already free by grace through faith in Christ Jesus. The Church in Galatia was troubled by some Judaizers who insisted in keeping the Old Testament law of circumcision according to Moses in order to be saved. Paul wrote this letter to assure them of the truth that they were no longer under the law but under grace. To remain free we must follow 3 important points.
1. STAND FAST IN FREEDOM (Perseverance)
Gal 5:1a (NKJV) 1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free
The word Paul used in the Greek was στήκω (stēkō). It literally meant to be stationary, that is, (figuratively) to persevere. God calls us to stand fast or persevere in our faith based on grace not on works for our salvation. Many will oppose our freedom in Christ and will impose rules and regulation to bring us back into bondage. Let us stand fast or persevere to remain free. To stand here does not mean to stand idly but actively resisting anything that will keep us from falling from grace.
Two things Paul pointed out to stand fast:
a. Do Not Be Entangled By The Law
Gal 5:1b (NKJV) …..and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
To be “entangled again” means to repeatedly wrestle or be ensnared all over again by keeping the old law to justify ourselves. We are called to be free and not to bondage again, and again and again. We struggle to be pleasing to God in the hope we are accepted by Him whereas we have been adopted as sons and daughters by His grace.
b. Do Not Be Estranged By The Law
Gal 5:4 NKJV) 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
The word estranged came from the Greek word Καταργέω (katargeo) which means to be (or render) entirely idle (useless). Christ is of no use to us and we are of no use to Christ if we think that we are justified through good works for our salvation. For by faith we have been saved (Ephesians 2:8,9)
2. RUN WELL IN OBEYING THE TRUTH
Gal 5:7-15 (NKJV) 7 You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?
We must run well in obeying the truth. The truth that Paul emphasized here is to use the freedom to love and serve on another.
8 This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 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. 11 And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased. 12 I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off! 13 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. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!
3. WALK IN THE SPIRIT
Gal 5:16-25 (NKJV) 16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 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.
The word “Walk” in this verse in the Greek is περιπατέω (peripateō ) which means to tread (or trample) all around. Our walk should be an aggressive walk when we trample the flesh under our feet. We aggressively destroy the flesh through our obedience to the Spirit. God promised that He will crush satan under our feet shortly (Romans 16:20). Verses 18 to 21 tells us what we should be trampling as we are led by the Spirit:
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, 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.
As we walk in the Spirit, we must bear fruit by crucifying the flesh.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who areChrist's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Fruit in the Greek is “καρπός (karpos)” It is not a fruit that is just hanging from a branch. It is actually a “plucked” fruit that was taken by force. Again it is an aggressive action word. Our fruit must not remain with us but they are to be shared for all to enjoy. A fruit left hanging from a tree is totally useless. It must be harvested and eaten. Our fruit therefore must benefit others and not just ourselves.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
In This verse the word “walk” used by Paul in the Greek is different from the one before (verse 16). The Greek word for Walk here is “στοιχέω” ( stoicheō) which means “to march in military rank (keep step), that is, (figuratively) to conform to virtue and piety or to walk (orderly).
We are to keep in step with God at all times. Not before, not after but alongside with Him. We are a disciplined army doing His will and not our own agenda. We must walk in holiness to remain free from sin and from our own strength to be saved until the end.
Conclusion:
24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit
Living a crucified life means denying one self and living only for Him and Him alone. We are dead to the flesh and sin and alive in Christ. Let us stand, run and walk in faith in freedom in Jesus’ name, amen!
No comments:
Post a Comment