16 What I am saying is this: run your lives by the Spirit. Then you will not do what your old nature wants. 17 For the old nature wants what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit wants what is contrary to the old nature. These oppose each other, so that you find yourselves unable to carry out your good intentions. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, then you are not in subjection to the system that results from perverting the Torah into legalism.
19 And it is perfectly evident what the old nature does. It expresses itself in sexual immorality, impurity and indecency; 20 involvement with the occult and with drugs; in feuding, fighting, becoming jealous and getting angry; in selfish ambition, factionalism, intrigue 21 and envy; in drunkenness, orgies and things like these. I warn you now as I have warned you before: those who do such things will have no share in the Kingdom of God!
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 humility, self control. Nothing in the Torah stands against such things.
24 Moreover, those who belong to the Messiah Yeshua have put their old nature to death on the stake, along with its passions and desires. 25 Since it is through the Spirit that we have Life, let it also be through the Spirit that we order our lives day by day.
26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.[Footnotes:
Galatians 5:14 Leviticus 19:18]
RG AUDIO 032715"Upside Down Kingdom" by Author: Becky Gray
Paul cautions the reader about yielding freely to the flesh. Why would one want to, considering grace? Instead use freedom to show patience at work, care to a neighbor, joy in the midst of adversity, peace at home, loyalty to a friend, and self-control with the family. There is no law against these.
Be led by the Spirit! The Spirit and “indulging the flesh” cannot coexist. When one is evident the other is absent. If you are led by the Spirit you are free. That’s the call! Freedom! Self-centeredness makes life difficult. It’s a rough existence (Galatians 5:19-21a). Freedom is masked by self-indulgence. Compare “the acts of the flesh” and “the fruit of the Spirit.” The two lists are extreme opposites. One leads to death, the other life. Which list is more appetizing? The answer reveals your loyalty. Are you in bondage to the flesh, or are you a love-slave to Christ? Ironically, being a slave to Christ is freeing. Jesus is the Master. You are owned by Christ. It’s an upside down kingdom.
Hymn for Today: "Glorious Freedom" by Haldor Lillenas, 1917
1. Once I was bound by sin’s galling fetters,
Chained like a slave, I struggled in vain;
But I received a glorious freedom,
When Jesus broke my fetters in twain.
Refrain:
Glorious freedom, wonderful freedom,
No more in chains of sin I repine!
Jesus the glorious Emancipator,
Now and forever He shall be mine.
2. Freedom from all the carnal affections,
Freedom from envy, hatred and strife;
Freedom from vain and worldly ambitions,
Freedom from all that saddened my life.
Refrain:
Glorious freedom, wonderful freedom,
No more in chains of sin I repine!
Jesus the glorious Emancipator,
Now and forever He shall be mine.
3. Freedom from pride and all sinful follies,
Freedom from love and glitter of gold;
Freedom from evil, temper, and anger,
Glorious freedom, rapture untold.
Refrain:
Glorious freedom, wonderful freedom,
No more in chains of sin I repine!
Jesus the glorious Emancipator,
Now and forever He shall be mine.
4. Freedom from fear with all of its torments,
Freedom from care with all of its pain;
Freedom in Christ, my blessed Redeemer,
He who has rent my fetters in twain.
Refrain:
Glorious freedom, wonderful freedom,
No more in chains of sin I repine!
Jesus the glorious Emancipator,
Now and forever He shall be mine.
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