#172-G117 ~ Galatians 5:13-17
We now conclude our study of Galatians 5:13.
13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion [APHORME = a base of operations in war] to the flesh, but by love serve [DEULEUO = serve as a slave] one another.
A couple of principles need to be noted here.
1-PRINCIPLE: Just because all your sins are forgiven [past, present & future], don’t think of that as a license to sin, seeking to fulfill the lusts of your sinful nature [your flesh]. Our liberty in Christ is not to serve as a base of operations for sin, but for service.
2-PRINCIPLE: Because of who you are in Christ, serve one another in love. Treat others the way you’d like to be treated!
We see this thought in our next verse…
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Love is an inter-dispensational function.
This isn’t talking about putting oneself under the Mosaic Law. We are not under the law, but we ARE to love others!
Ephesians 2:15
15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
We now continue with Galatians 5:15
15 But if [humorously sometimes this happens] ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
This can be done physically or usually verbally. Then we have a command!
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Our “WALK” is talking about our manner of life. This is talking about our Code of Conduct as believers. Paul often uses this term—walk.
Walk in newness of life—Romans 6:4
Walk honestly—Romans 13:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:12
Walk in [by] the Spirit—Galatians 5:16; 2 Corinthians 12:18
Walk by faith—1 Corinthians 5:7
Walk in good works—Ephesians 2:10
Walk worthy of our calling—Ephesians 4:1; 1 Corinthians 7:17
Walk in love—Ephesians 5:2
Walk as children of light—Ephesians 5:8
Walk circumspectly [accurately]—Ephesians 5:15
Walk as we have others as an example—Philippians 3:17
Walk worthy of the Lord—Colossians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:12
Walk in wisdom—Colossians 4:5
Walk according to the truth given to us through Paul—1 Thessalonians 4:1
Walk in Him—Colossians 2:6
Walk in the flesh because we have a body—2 Corinthians 10:3
The Scripture speaks of the reverse of this.
Not walking after the flesh—Romans 8:4; 2 Corinthians 10:2
Not walking according to love—Romans 4:15
Not walking as men [unbelievers]—1 Corinthians 3:3
Not walking in craftiness [deceitful]—2 Corinthians 4:2
No longer walking in sin as before we were saved—Ephesians 2:2; 4:17; Colossians 3:7
Not walking as unsaved “religious” people—Philippians 3:18
Not walking disorderly—2 Thessalonians 3:6,11
These are all things done by believers!!! If they weren’t, there would be no need for the command to not do them.
Again, Galatians 5:16
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
“The lust of the flesh” is mentioned elsewhere by Paul, Peter & John.
Romans 13:14; Galatians 5:16; Ephesians 2:3; 2 Peter 2:18; 1 John 2:16
Peter’s comment— 2 Peter 2:18
18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
John’s comment— 1 John 2:16
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
There are similar commands that all speak of sinful activities we are to avoid.
Here we have all these clear commands about how we’re to live as God’s people.
I conclude by discussing Ephesians 5:18 and Colossians 3: 16. Both of these passages are talking about the same thing but in different words. Altogether it is telling us we are to conduct our lives in submission to God.
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