March 30, 2025 – Freedom in Christ – Galatians 5:13-25
Scripture Reading Galatians 5:13-25
Message Rev. Jimmy Criddle
Galatians 5:13-25 emphasizes that freedom in Christ is not a license for self-indulgence, but rather an opportunity to serve one another through love, fulfilling the law. It warns against the works of the flesh and encourages walking in the Spirit, which produces a different kind of fruit.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
Freedom, Not License:
Paul clarifies that freedom in Christ is not an excuse to do whatever one wants, but rather a call to serve each other through love.
Love as Fulfillment of the Law:
He states that the entire law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself”.
The Works of the Flesh:
Paul lists various actions and attitudes that are characteristic of living according to the flesh, including sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy.
The Fruit of the Spirit:
Conversely, he contrasts these with the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Walking in the Spirit:
Paul encourages believers to “walk by the Spirit” and not fulfill the desires of the flesh.
Crucified with Christ:
Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Warning Against the Works of the Flesh:
He warns that those who practice the works of the flesh will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Living in the Spirit:
Paul urges believers to live according to the Spirit, not just as an idea, but in every detail of their lives.
Galatians 5:13-25
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters, only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence,[a] but through love become enslaved to one another. 14 For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.
The Works of the Flesh
16 Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, 21 envy,[b] drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
The Fruit of the Spirit
22 By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. 24 And those who belong to Christ[c] have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.