Gal. 6:4-5 - Examine Your Own Work

4 But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another.
5 For each one will bear his own load.

Don’t Compare Yourself to Others

This is the beginning of the end of the letter. Paul has one more paragraph with instructions for Christian living, and then on to the closing notes.

Vs. 4 - “But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another.”

- “each one must examine his own work” - Don’t compare yourself to others. Don’t even try to self-analyze. Ask the Holy Spirit to convict you of your sin. You will not be judged because of what someone else did. You alone are responsible for your sin. (See: Ezek. 18:20; John 21:21-22)
Campus Crusade for Christ has a booklet “Have You made the Wonderful Discovery of the Spirit-Filled Life”. As you go through it you will learn several things about living an abundant life:

• What is preventing you from living such a life;
• The promise made by Jesus to us;
• How to be filled and and empowered by the Holy Spirit. The promise is discovered by sincerely desiring to have an abundant life, controlled by the Holy Spirit;
• Confessing your sins;
• By faith Claiming the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

The keys: sincerity in the desire to please God in all respects; confessing the sin to which the Holy Spirit convicts you.
Confessing your sin is basically two-fold: agreeing with the Holy Spirit the actions were offensive to the Lord, and Repenting - i.e., turning away from those sins to do them no more.

Examining your own work is not a casual exercise. Let the Holy Spirit guide you in scrutinizing, studying, and testing your actions compared to what the scripture says.

“he will have reason for boasting” - Sarcasm alert! Paul himself indicated that if anyone had a reason to boast, it was him. He was a perfect Jew - in worship, in the Law, in education. (Phil. 3:4-7) Yet, he realized that all those accolades were worth no more than manure. The only thing we can boast in is the Lord. (1 Cor. 1:31; 2 Cor. 10:17) If anything we should be talking about our weaknesses! That Jesus has taken care of them. (2 Cor. 12:5) It is Christ and Jesus Christ alone in whom we can boast. He loved us first. He died for our sins, all of us, all of our sins. His resurrection shows we too can have etearnal life.

Vs. 5 - “For each one will bear his own load.”

“each one will bear his own load” - This statement is not a contradiction of v. 2 (see above) which urges us to help each out in times of trouble. If a member of our church suffers a loss, and illness, or injury, we are to help them through so they can get back on their feet.
This verse is a warning to us. We must answer for our behavior - that is our load. Our sin is our load. Note: when we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior ALL of our sins are covered. He has paid the price in full. However, we will be judged by Jesus for our behavior as Christians. This is not judged in the sense your salvation is in peril.
We will face Jesus at the Judgement Seat of Christ and our works will be judged. (See: 2 Cor. 5:10) No one else will stand in for you.

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Gal. 6:2-3. - If You Think...

2 Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.
3 For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

Bear One Another’s Burdens

Vs. 2 - “Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.”

- “Bear one another's burdens” - You are not alone. Your fellow believer should not be left to fend for himself. This is a spiritual battle we wage (Eph. 6:12). Support one another in prayer, in exhortation, in compassion and empathy. (See: Rom. 15:1; 14:1; 1 Thes. 5:14, 15.) Each one of us is responsible for our behavior. We will be judged for the way we live our Christian life. (2 Cor. 5:9, 10) You will not be judged for the way I lead my life. Your sons or daughters will not be judged for the way you live yours, and vice versa. But if we do not speak out to warn those who are floundering, we will be held accountable for failing to warn them. (See: Ezek. 3:18, 19) Help each other as you go through each day. This verse is more than a suggestion. Help other believers if it appears they are going off the rails. We are to love one another and support each other until Christ returns. (See: 1 John 3:23; Heb. 3:13, 10:24, 25.)

- “fulfill the law of Christ” - There are two main commandments, from which all other rules or regulations flow:

• Love God and Jesus
• Love each other

(See: Luk. 10:25-28; Mk. 12:28-31.) Bearing one another’s burdens is not just helping someone through tough spiritual times. It involves the church assisting the widows and orphans, the strangers and the poor. This admonition has been in the Judeo-Christian fabric from the beginning of the Old Covenant up until now (until Christ returns, actually). (See: Lev. 25:35; Isa. 58:7, 10; Zech 7:9, 10, Jam. 2:1-13.)

Vs. 3 - “For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” -

- “if anyone thinks he is something” - Pride and conceit. These hinder our development of a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior.
In the context of this paragraph: We might think we are too spiritual to fall into sin (... again). “Survey says,” “Brrrrrrackkkkkk.”
We might think we can handle any situation we get into. Same response.
We might think, “I would never do that.” We deceive ourselves.
Thinking we are in control severely hampers the ability to hear (listen to) the Holy Spirit who lead us to confession and repentance. (See: 1 John 1:8,9.) This same attitude will keep you from committing your life to Christ.

- “he deceives himself.” - One of the most powerful and destructive tendencies we have is to see ourselves as much better than we really are. The protagonist in the movie “The Talented Mr. Ripley” says “Most people never think we are as bad as we are.” This is the pride of our old nature. Warnings about the dangers of pride are throughout the scripture.
Don’t think too highly of yourself. (Rom. 12:3)
Don’t brag of how good you are. (1 Sam. 2:3)
Sin is the natural outgrowth of our pride. (Pro. 24:4)
It makes us over-confident. (Psa. 75:4)

***

Phil. 3:9-11 - His Righteousness

9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,
10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;
11 in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

The Power of His Righteousness

This is a continuation of the sentence started in verse 8, above. Paul develops the theme of knowing Christ (vs. 8) and being found in Him (verses 9, 10, and 11) in which he lists at least five blessings you receive by knowing and being in Christ.

***

Vs. 9 - “and may be found in Him” - (continued from vs. 8, i.e., “may gain Christ”), My life is in Jesus. My life can be in Jesus, because He died for my sins, and was resurrected as proof the price was paid in full! The life flows from Jesus to me (and other believers). Being ‘close’ to Jesus is not good enough. Knowing about Jesus will not save. Fully immersed in His life, and His life filling mine is the answer.
Old Testament writing provides the metaphor “God is my rock, my fortress...” The only way you can take refuge is to be in the fortress. In the American Old West, settlers would farm near the U.S. Army forts. Settlers would flee to the fort if they feared an attack was imminent. They had to be in the fort to be protected.
The concept of being in Christ is mentioned at least 87 times in the New Testament. For example: Eternal life is found in Christ (Rom. 6:23). There is no condemnation in Christ (Rom. 8:1). There is wisdom, righteousness, and sanctification in Christ (1 Cor. 1:30). We are new creatures in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17).

None of those things are ours if we are not in Christ.

“not having a righteousness of my own” - That is: Righteousness he has earned by obedience to the Law.
Can we do enough good deeds, or attend church regularly enough, or work in a Sunday School class enough years to be so righteous that God me meet God’s minimum standard? (See Titus 3:5,6).
This righteousness is the first of the blessings we receive by our faith in Christ Jesus. What is righteousness? It is being in a condition acceptable to God; approved of God. It means that person is entitled to all the advantages and rewards arising from being His own, and not from perfect obedience to the law. It is someone morally upright, without guilt or sin. That person must be holy, because God is holy. (See Lev. 11:44) In Psa. 32:1-2, we are blessed when our sins are forgiven and we are free of iniquity. Jesus’ brother echoes this in his letter: “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” Jude 1:24-25.

“through faith in Christ” - Paul gets to the heart of the matter here. This may be the central theme verse of this letter - Righteousness is yours by faith in Christ.
Faith is the conviction that God exists, and that salvation comes through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. “Faith” is mentioned 228 times, and “believe” 115 times in the New Testament.
How important is faith? “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” (Heb. 11:6)
At one point in Jesus’ ministry, He is asked what works need to be done. His answer, “Believe in Him (Jesus) whom He (God the Father) has sent.” (See: John 6:28,29). If you believe in Christ, you will receive eternal life. (John 3:15) Paul says the righteous will live because of their faith. (Rom. 1:17)
In other places is the New Testament, it is stated that faith saves. (See: Luke 7:50; Acts 15:9;). Jesus taught Paul that sanctification (being made holy, righteous, or blameless) is by faith. (See: Acts 26:15-18).
Do you need an abundance of faith? No. Even a little faith is effective! (See: Mark 11:22ff; Matt. 17:19-21; Luke 5:19-24.) Anyone, even a Gentile, can have faith in God and Jesus! Jesus commended the faith of a Roman centurion. (See: Luke 7:9).

“From God on the basis of faith,” - The righteousness you need to have a permanent relationship with God is supplied by Him! (See: Acts 3:15-16, 17:31; Rom. 3:22)

Vs. 10 - “that I may know Him” - The primary reason we (that is, all of us, you and I) need the righteousness of God is so we may know Jesus personally and intimately. He knows everything about you. You transition from knowing nothing about Jesus, to just a knowing little. Because He is Spirit, we must worship Him in Spirit and truth. (See: John 4:34). We wait for the day when we will know Him fully, and worship Him in His glory.

“And the power of His resurrection” - The power of resurrection, which is your resurrection to eternal life, is the second blessing. We are being delivered from the domain of darkness, and transferred to the kingdom of His beloved Son. (Col. 1:13). Without resurrection, that is, without being born again we have no hope of eternal life. (See: John 3:3-8) Our old bodies are decaying day-by-day, and will be shed. We will receive new bodies, being renewed by the power of the Holy Spirit. (See: 2 Cor. 4:16, 5:17)

“the fellowship of His sufferings” - If you are anything like me, you are wondering “How can suffering be a blessing?” (The third blessing listed) Then you start mental cartwheels, or back flips with a round-off (Olympic-class imagineer) on how to rationalize this concept. Christ, Himself said that we would be persecuted, simply because He was persecuted. (See: John 15:20, Luke) We are not greater than Christ our Savior, so we can not expect to be treated better.
The “world” persecuted Christ, put on a sham trial and then executed Him. The world does not love Jesus, nor His followers. Sufferings will come because we are living for Jesus.
Persecution must not come upon us because we are behaving badly (See: Almost any activity by the Westboro Baptist Church - the crazies that protest at funerals of servicemen killed in battle). In Peter’s first letter, a whole chapter is penned regarding this. (See: 1 Pet. 4:1-16) Summed up: never suffer because of evil actions. Live at peace with people, yet being willing to share your faith in Christ to anyone who asks you. (See: 1 Pet. 3:15)
Paul was ready to go anywhere the Lord would direct him. He was ready to share his faith in Jesus Christ at any time. Living a sanctified life (not sanctimonious, but separated and holy before God) will bring disdain and hatred. It will bring light to the people around you, and some will be upset, very upset, because they do not want the light exposing the way they conduct themselves. (See: Matt. 5:16; Luk. 8:16-17; John 1:5; John 3:19-21)
Paul understood and knew the suffering Jesus Christ went through in order to pay for our sins. Christ took on a burden we never, never could endure. Whatever Paul suffered, and in extension what we may suffer, is “nothing” in comparison. Paul was willing to suffer for the gospel (2 Tim. 1:8). He rejoiced in the suffering for Jesus! (Col. 1:24) He knew as we emulated the suffering of Christ we would share in the comfort through Christ (Rom. 8:16-17; 1 Cor. 1:5-7).
Jesus Christ also suffered emotionally as he wept for Jerusalem and Israel. His thoughts may have been echoed from the book of Ezekiel, “Why then would you die, O house of Israel?” (Ezek. 18:31; 33:11) Paul had a burden on his heart for the Gentiles. What an example for you and I - to have a burden for our family, our friends, our neighbors - that we might ache for them to know Jesus as Lord and Savior.

“being conformed to His death” - What a blessing it is die to self, so that we may be given a new self that has its life in Jesus. (This is the fourth blessing in the list.) When Christ died for our sins, His earthly body died and was buried. When Christ resurrected, He had a new body. Not a repaired and fixed up body, but a whole new body. If you and I want to share in His resurrection, we must know our earthly body must die and be taken away - none of it will be, or is, acceptable in the presence of God. We will be given news bodies, like Jesus’ body. We are new creatures. (See: Rom. 6:6; 2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 4:22; Col. 3:9-10). “The Normal Christian Life”, by Watchman Nee does a wonderful, detailed discussion of this subject, based on Paul’s the letter to the Romans. Watchman does a much better job than me. Unless you give up your body in death to Christ you cannot receive the new body. He is not telling you to go out and get yourself killed for Christ. You must fully accept that the body you now live in must die to Christ - when and if you accept Christ’s death for you, the body which already has a death sentence is now dead for all intents and purposes. Your new, perfect body provided by God through Christ is waiting for you to occupy it. “Conformed to His death” is your body must die as did Jesus Christ’s body, so that you may have a new imperishable body as does our Lord and Savior. This is not mental gymnastics, imaginations, rationalizations. If Christ did not die for your sin, you must die in your sin (“die” as in eternal separation from God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.) He died so that we may live with Him forever. (See: 1 Pet. 3:18; Rom. 6:10).

Vs. 11 - “attain to the resurrection from the dead” - Eternal life - the fifth blessing. Of Course, Paul says it best, “But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, ‘DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?’The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law;” (1 Cor. 15:54-56). We do not gain immortality without resurrection. We do not gain salvation, or resurrection, without faith in Christ. Believe on Him and you shall be saved. (See: Acts 16:31, Rom. 10:9, 10)

To sum up, Paul has listed five (5) positive benefits from knowing Christ as Lord and Savior:

• To gain the righteousness from from God, through faith;
• To know the power of His resurrection;
• To know the fellowship with Him, and His sufferings;
• To be conformed to His death;
• To receive resurrection from the dead.

***

Gal. 6:1 - Restore One Another

1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.

Help Each Other, Gently

“even if anyone is caught in any trespass” - Paul understands there is no such thing as “sinless perfection” (until we are with the Lord). Our reborn spirit will be permanently bonded with our new miraculous body. “We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is.” (1 John 3:2b)
What a fantastic thing to ponder: He could go through walls, closed doors, ascend into heaven! We get to share in that. We will walk with God in the New Jerusalem. “Behold, the Tabernacle of God is among men, and He shall dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be among them, and He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes...” (Rev. 21:3,4). What a great one to contemplate.

Almost all of the letters in the Bible canon recognize believers will sin. (See: Rom. 7:15-17) When we sin, we have a remedy - confession and repentance. (See: 1 John 1:8,9) When a believer sins, the reputation of the church (local body of Christ) may be damaged. What are we to do? Cast them into the outer darkness until they are perfect? (See: Matt. 18:15-17) Pray for them? (See: Jam. 5:15, 19-20.) We must be humble, knowing we also will sin. We must comfort, cajole, exhort the person who has fallen to win them back into a right relationship with Jesus.

“you who are spiritual” - Who among us is spiritual? That is not a facetious question. My spirituality is between Jesus and me. So then, how do others know I may be spiritual? I mean, how will others come to believe that I am controlled and empowered by the Holy Spirit? The answer is found in Gal. 5:22-25. If we are in Christ, i.e., controlled and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we will bear much fruit. (See also: John 15:2, 4-8)
The “bearing fruit” is often used to mean to lead others to Christ so they may be saved. That is true, but Jesus promised an abundant life. (See: John 10:10) Compare Gal. 5:19-21 to Gal. 5:22-25. Which lifestyle is manifest to others as you go through each day - (vss. 19-21) or (vss.22-25)? It should be intuitively obvious to the most casual observer. (See: 1 John 3:10.)

“restore such a one” - Bring that believer back to spirituality! Not thinking of ‘Pharisaic spirituality’ - where it seems to be all surface, all display but no substance. Removing someone from fellowship in the local church is the last resort. Only when that person refuses to repent, refuses to confess; only when that person turns his back on the church is the drastic measure taken. Without Christian fellowship, exhortation, teaching there is little hope for reversal. If, however, that person confesses before the believers and repents of his behavior there is hope for spiritual healing. Those who truly repent will encourage others to hold them accountable. (See: Matt. 18:15-17; Jam. 5:19-20, 2 Thess. 3:13-15)

“each one looking to yourself” - Do these ‘interventions’ with gentleness so you will not be tempted by pride to consider yourself better than others. Be humble. Be subject to the Lord. Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Pride is blandly sinister: How can you not like yourself and your accomplishments? Pride leads us headlong into destruction (Pro. 16:18). God does not like pride; actually, He hates it. (Pro. 8:13).
Humbleness can keep us from stumbling into sin by centering us on Christ. By living in His power and love for us. We recognize that it is nothing we can do to save us; we are wholly dependent on Him. If there is no sin in your life and behavior, it is because the Holy Spirit has guided you, and you have followed His lead. (See: Pro. 29:23).
Be careful, be very careful.

***

Gal. 5:22-26 - Fruit of the Spirit

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
26 Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.

Live by the Spirit

Vs. 22-23: - “Fruit of the Spirit” - These nine characteristics are set off against the fifteen ‘deeds of the flesh’ seen in the previous verses.
Love - This is the agape love, the forgiving, forgetting love we cherish that is the gift of God to us. We should not deceive ourselves in thinking that God actually ‘forgets’ our transgressions. He does not; He cannot - He is omniscient. Believing in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior means that His sacrifice has paid the penalty. The wrath that should have fallen on us has been paid by Jesus. God ‘forgets’ in that He recognizes the price is paid in full in Jesus. There are no ‘Accounts Receivable’ when we are in Jesus Christ.
Joy - a calm delight, gladness
Peace - the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, fearing nothing from God
Patience - forbearance, long-suffering, slowness in avenging wrongs
Kindness - moral goodness, integrity, benignity
Goodness - uprightness of heart and life,
Faithfulness - the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, esp. his sensual appetite. This trait goes hand-in-hand with self-control.
Gentleness - mildness of disposition, humility
Self-Control - mastery of desires and passions, especially sensual appetites.

- “Against such things” - These are not deeds of the flesh. Those are part of this world and draw us away from Jesus (See: Gal. 5:19-21). Are we to combat the flesh with rules and restrictions? Do rules make our lives easier or better? Jesus did not give us new and better rules and rituals. He came to set us free.
The beginning of this chapter says “It was for freedom that Christ set us free.” Two things are required - love God and love each other - everything else follows. Jesus gives abundant life. Such life does not come by following rules. It comes from the freedom of loving Him, and being loved in return. Joy comes from Jesus. Seek Him. Freedom and joy will follow.

Someone will ask,”How will I know that Christ lives in me?” Or, “Without the rules, procedures, and rituals how will I know that I am a successful Christian?” Or, “Will I feel different?” “Will I see the world differently?” “How will others know that I am saved?”
Jesus did not say, “Bear down. Work harder.” Nor did He say, “Work smarter, not harder.” He said, “Follow Me.” “Take up your cross and follow Me.” I do not think the ‘cross’ is some burden, illness, or circumstance that you must suffer (although that is the way this metaphor is commonly used). The ‘cross’ is voluntarily giving our life to Jesus, surrendering wholly just as He offered Himself as a sacrifice for us. Tell Him your life is not your own, but His. The fruit of the Spirit will be manifest in your life as you focus on Jesus Christ where He is, seated at the right hand of God in heaven. (See: Col. 3:1-4)

These nine characteristics will be outward symptoms of your commitment to Jesus Christ. Just as the fifteen deeds of the flesh are symptomatic of your life owned and controlled by Satan. Satan does not have permanent possession of you unless you reject Jesus as Lord and Savior. When you give your live to Jesus, you become His. No one nor anything can take you from Him.

Side Note: notice the pattern of the fruit, three groups of three. Three single-syllable words, three two-syllable words, and three three-syllable words. I don’t think there is any deep significance in that pattern, but it is a nice mnemonic.

24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Vs. 24 - “Crucified the flesh” - The body you now live in is dead when you are born again. When you are resurrected, or when Christ returns, you get a new body - a perfect body. A body that is suitable for a permanent home for our reborn spirit. The new body is not damaged by sin. “Food is for the stomach and the stomach is for food, but God will do away with both of them. Yet the body is not for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body.” (1 Cor. 6:13)
Just as you voluntarily accept Christ as Savior (a.k.a., free will), you are voluntarily discarding the present body. “knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;” (Rom. 6:6)
The picture is the present body being put to death, crucified on the cross of Jesus. Jesus said, “Take up your cross...” (Matt. 16:24; Mk. 8:34) “Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of it.” (1 Cor. 12:27) “it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.” (1 Cor. 15:44) “Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.” (Col. 3:5) “Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” (Rom. 6:11) “If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness.” (Rom. 8:10)

Vs. 25 - “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.”

“If we live... also walk” - This is not an “If-Then” conditional statement. It is more like a ‘Since-Therefore” construction. To paraphrase this sentence: “Since we are alive by the power of the Spirit of God, therefore we need to live in the same power.”
Paul has spent the last four and one-half chapters of this letter pounding the concept we are not saved by works or by the Law. We are saved by Christ crucified and resurrected, and by the Holy Spirit given to us when we believe and accept Jesus as Savior. We are not saved by deeds, even deeds done in righteous effort. We are saved by His mercy. We are saved by the renewing by the Holy Spirit. (See: Titus 3:5).

So, if you are saved - given eternal life - by the Spirit, why would you want to live that new life by following the same kind of rules that could not save you? Making people obey rules puts burdens on them; we rob people of the joy of being saved. Jesus said, “My burden is light.” We have been set free!

In our world, or fleshly nature, we are bullied by death, sin, shame. We are frustrated and lash out, or try escaping through activity or drugs. There is no joy in life being beset by sin. When we live in the Spirit, we have freedom - from committing sin, from guilt and shame. We are free to contemplate living forever with God the Father and Jesus. When hampered by sin in our lives, it is almost impossible to think about eternity. Sin, guilt and shame hanging over us clouds our vision of eternity.

We are to be different - our old nature, the one we were born with - is tuned to the world. When we accept Christ we are reborn with a new nature, one attuned to the Lord.“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” (2 Cor. 5:17)

Vs. 26 - “Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.”

“Let us not become boastful... challenging... envying” - It is far too easy to feel superior to others. “I have Christ and you don’t!” “I’m going to heaven. What about you?” We can easily become like the Pharisee praying, “... God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.” (Luk. 18:11) At no time can we brag, “Look what I have done!” Too easily we compare ourselves to others. (See: Rom. 12:3; 2 Cor. 10:12). We are also warned to “do nothing from selfishness and empty conceit.” (Phil. 2:3).

We cannot manufacture joy, love, or peace in our hearts and souls. These are a gift from God through our Savior Jesus Christ. You will not find joy in following rules and laws. You will not be at peace with God by regulation. I am pretty sure you will not be filled with love by obedience to rituals. Love, Joy, and Peace flow from a heart filled and controlled by the Grace of God through His Holy Spirit. Surrender to Him and be filled.

It is difficult enough living our faith in this broken and hostile world. There is no reason to over-burden ourselves with matters that ultimately do not matter! They do not matter in the sense that we cannot be saved by them, we can not live a life worthy of the sacrifice by them. We can only frustrate ourselves as come to believe we are failures.”

We are not failures in Christ. We are more than conquerors! We are children of God! We have hope! (See: 1 Tim. 4:10.)

*** End of the Chapter

Gal. 5:19-21 - Deeds of the Flesh

19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,
20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,
21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the miracles they kingdom of God.

Not a Good List to be On

I have struggled writing about these verses. These verses are not meek and mild. They are in your face regarding sin in your life - the practice of sin. I do not think these verses are saying that without Christ you will DO ALL those listed. There are at least two aspects to this discussion: behaviors and practice.

Behaviors: The world is the province of Satan. In his domain there is no reason not to participate in the ‘deeds of the flesh’. Paul recognizes the dilemma we face, when our old nature tries to take over from the Holy Spirit. See Rom. 7:15-25. We are slaves to the sin nature. Only by the sacrifice and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ are those chains and shackles broken.
We will have two natures within us until we are resurrected or go to be with Jesus -
(1) the old sin nature of the world, and
(2) the new one given to us by Christ.
The battle within us is always choosing between them. We are tempted by our desires from within. Desires give birth to sin, which leads to death. (See: Jam. 1:14-16.)

Practice: We don’t do all the deeds listed, but we do some. This is not about the occasional fall or sin, but a pattern, “serial sinning”. This pattern of behavior shows there is no commitment to the new way of life. Is it ignorance or recalcitrance? See: Eccl.12:11-14, Solomon had tried collecting wisdom; he had tried being powerful; he had tried being rich. In the end, the only thing that mattered was obedience to God’s commands.

Similarly, in the NT, clinging to Christ and Him resurrected is what brings freedom. Deeds of the flesh are easy. Following Jesus takes real commitment.

Vs. 19 - Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,

“Deeds of the flesh” - Paul tells us some telltale behaviors in the next two paragraphs that will point out the differences you should see. He gives us two lists - fifteen or sixteen behaviors of those who do not have the Spirit of God controlling their life, and nine characteristics of those who do have the Spirit. This list is similar to others in the NT: Rom. 13:13; Mk 7:21-22; 1 Cor. 5:10-11, 6:9-10; 2 Cor. 12:20-21; Eph. 4:31, 5:3-5; Col. 3:5, 8; 1 Tim. 1:9-10; 2 Tim. 3:2; Rev. 21:8, 22:15.

Living in the flesh. The following definitions come from a concordance, and show the word usage. I think these fifteen characteristics of ‘deeds of the flesh’ can divided into three categories based on the verses in 1 John 2:15-16 where we read all that is of the world (flesh) is “lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life”.
The following list includes at least three (3) characteristics in the ‘lust of the eyes’ group, (or maybe also in ‘lust of the flesh’.) There are two (2) concerning false religions, with seven (7) regarding relationships in the ‘boast pride of life’ group. The last two (2) characteristics with ‘lust of flesh.’

The first three deal with immorality.

Immorality - illicit sexual intercourse, including but not limited to: adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals etc.

Impunity - uncleanness: physical; in a moral sense: the impurity of lustful, luxurious, profligate living.

Sensuality - unbridled lust, excess, licentiousness, lasciviousness, wantonness, outrageousness, shamelessness, insolence. The three listed above are all sexual sins and attitudes.

Vs. 20 - idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,

The following are about holding to false religions and the attending practices. As we read through the Bible, especially in the OT, it is clear that turning from God to false religions - unfaithfulness - is religious adultery.

Idolatry - the worship of false gods, practices and rituals honoring false gods.

Sorcery - magical arts, often found in connection with idolatry and fostered by it.

These next nine characteristics all deal with personal ego and pride (perhaps that is redundant). Again, see 1 John 2:15-16, for “the Boastful Pride of Life”. Each of these deal with a person demanding his way, placing his wants and needs over and above all others, even with respect to God.

Enmities - hostility and hatred

Strife - contention, wrangling

Jealousy - excitement of mind, ardor, fervor of spirit, fierceness of indignation, punitive zeal.

Outbursts of anger - passion, angry, heat, anger forthwith boiling up and soon subsiding again.

Disputes - a desire to put one's self forward, a partisan and fractious spirit.

Dissensions - divisions

Factions - a body of men following their own tenets (sect or party).

Envying - envy (This word is actually located in verse 21.)

Vs. 21a - “envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these...”

The focus of the following characteristics is losing control of your mind and emotions by artificial means - using alcohol and drugs. Again these are related to the ‘lust of the flesh.’

Drunkenness - drinking to excess

Carousing - drinking and partying to excess.

Etc. - other stuff.

I have forewarned you

Vs. 21b - “... of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

“Forewarned” - He is saying I told you before, and it is worth repeating... These behaviors are not good things. Our behavior is a display of our belief system. This is most clearly demonstrated in what we say, for our words express what we believe combined with our feelings. We speak our hearts and minds. Jesus was quite clear on this matter. (See: Matt. 15:18, 19; Mk. 7:21; Lk. 6:45) Paul urges us to “no longer be conformed to the pattern of this world.” (Rom. 12:2)

“Those who practice” - We practiced these things in ignorance because we had not received the Holy Spirit who leads and teaches us the way we should live. Peter exhorts to not return to our ignorant ways. (1 Pet. 1:14-16). However, when we have heard the truth, the gospel, but refuse to change our behavior it is no longer acting out of ignorance, but rebellion. We do not obey because we do not believe.

“Will not inherent the kingdom of God” - This is harsh, stark statement. Very black and white, no shades of grey. We don’t like the idea. “You can’t judge me,” is a common refrain. “ Their behavior is between them and God”. We can’t know if they are ‘right with God’ or not. Yet, these words are not wishy-washy. We want wiggle-room, but it does not appear there is any, at all.

How do we combat these things, these fruit of the world and flesh? Do we pile on more rules, regulations, rituals, sacrifices? Why would anyone want to change their life for Christ if the result was an ever increasing burden of dogma, dos and don’ts? The joy and love of Jesus give us the answer. The next list provides direction for our life in Christ.

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Gal. 5:16-18 - Spirit vs. Flesh

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.

Holy Spirit Led Life

Vs. 16 - “Walk by the Spirit” - “Walk” is used in the sense of way of regulating your life by following the way of Christ. Let your life be controlled and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised us the Holy Spirit to live in us and teach and guide us in the way we should live. (See: John 14:26, 15:26). We should never need to walk in darkness (John 8:12). We are encouraged to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in order to emulate the way Jesus lived (See: Rom. 4:12, 8:4; Eph. 5:8; 1 John 2:6).

- “Will not carry out the desire of the flesh” - James says is clearly in his letter: “But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.” (Jam. 1:14-16)
John echos this thought, “Do not love the world, nor things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.” (1 John 2:15,16).

Flesh or world - both refer to living without Jesus or the Holy Spirit directing the way you live.
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17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.

Vs. 17 - “These are in opposition to one another” - Who is in control of your life? There are only two choices - you, or Jesus by the Holy Spirit. No one can serve two masters. (Matt. 6:24; Luk. 16:13) This world is the Devil’s playground. He is the prince of this world. (See: Eph. 2:2) He is opposed to God (he wanted to supplant God, or to be equal to God). If you follow Satan’s leading you will NOT live according to God’s will. You might accidentally do something correctly.
If you follow the Holy Spirit’s leading, you WILL live according to God’s will. The Holy Spirit will not lead you in directions that are opposed to the Father. God cannot oppose Himself. It is likely that you may fail to listen to the Holy Spirit in some situations. This does not mean you have turned yourself over to Satan, but have committed a sin. God had provided a remedy for this. The relationship can be restored by your confession and repentance. (See: 1 John 1:8, 9)

- “So that you may not do the things that you please” - The “things you please” are actions and a way of life that opposes God. Left to our desires, we will sin. Again, look back at James 1:14-16. It is also possible to do good works, and work at living a good life without the Holy Spirit. Jesus was pretty clear that working to show how good you can be is not the same a living for Him, listening to Him, seeking Jesus for guidance and direction. See: Matt. 7:20-23.
We are saying, “Lord, look at all the great things I have done, for You!” That is the problem - “I have done...” Jesus said, “Without Me, you can do nothing!” (John 15:5).
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18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.

Vs. 18 - “Led by the Spirit” - Jesus promised the Holy Spirit - the Helper, the Advocate - would be in us and with us forever! (John 14:16) “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just, and will cleanse us of all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9). “If we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood Jesus, His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7). When we believe in Jesus Christ we are moved from enemies of God to friends. It is better than no longer enemies; we are now children of God.

- “Not under the Law” - That shackle has been shattered. This goes a step further than the conclusion reached at the big confab in Jerusalem (See: Acts 15:1-21.) The conclusion there was that Gentiles were not to be troubled by demands of the Law - they could come to Christ just as they are. We can infer the Law was still important to the conference of leaders, but not so much as to hinder Gentile believers.
Paul, here led by the Holy Spirit takes a quantum leap. The Law is not a bothersome bump in the spiritual road. The Law is useless. It is a hindrance. The Law will draw you away from Jesus. Under the Law, you focus on what you are doing for God.

It is crucial for us to understand: It is not what we can do for God. It is what God has done for us. He has sacrificed Himself for our sins. “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8). The barrier of the Law - the sacrifices, the holy days, the festivals, the offerings - has been stripped away. All that has been fulfilled at the cross.
The cross is the only barrier between you as a sinner and an enemy of God, and you as a friend and child of God. That cross is the only way to cross the immense chasm between Holy God and sinful man. It is not a cross you have to bear. It is a gift you get to accept. It is totally your choice. Believe and be saved. He offers you an abundant life, free from sin, free from guilt and shame if you allow Him to control and empower you day-by-day, moment-by-moment.

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