Note: Here are some abbreviated expositional notes on Galatians 5:13 from
last Sunday morning’s sermon from Galatians 5:13-15:
“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty;
only use not liberty for an
occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13).
Paul begins v. 13:
“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty….”
Notice
again Paul’s use of the title “brethren [adelphoi]”
(cf. 1:11; 3:15; 4:12, 28, 31; 5:11; 6:18).
Once more, despite the strain on their relationship as apostle and
people, Paul still has a fraternal affection for the Galatian believers. They are brothers still, even if brothers
seduced into error. Paul does not
demonize these “brothers.” He continues to
hold them close.
He
reminds them of their status as redeemed men and women. It is a status they have received through the
effectual call of God (cf. v. 8; Romans 8:30).
It is
a status of liberty [eleutheria] (cf.
v. 1). Again, the word has a secular
usage that draws to mind the manumission of one enslaved. Paul is reminding the brethren that they have
been set free through Christ. From what
have they been set free?
1. From the wrath and curse of God due to them
for their sin.
2. From the guilt of sin.
3. From the duty to keep the law as a condition
of salvation. Keeping the moral law of
God and the commands of Christ might be a grateful response of a believer, but
the believer does not look to this as the thing that saves him. He has the liberty of knowing that his
salvation does not depend on his own law keeping. But there has been given to him, completely
undeservedly, the righteous life of Christ.
Paul proceeds to say: “only use not liberty for an occasion to the
flesh….”
Paul
is urging and warning: Do not use the
assurance of your salvation as an occasion or an excuse knowingly, flagrantly,
and repeatedly to wallow in sin.
Finally, Paul adds:
“but by love serve one another.”
Thus, Paul
offers a positive alternative to the negative path of giving occasion to the
flesh. The Christian life is not merely
a matter of mortification (putting to death sin) but also of vivification
(bringing to life godliness). Paul
exhorts: Use the occasion of liberty not
for licentious living but for serving your fellow believers with an attitude
and spirit of love.
This final
part of the passage speaks to the importance and centrality of belonging to a
local church. How better to obey this
command than by becoming a vital part of a local body of believers?
Grace and peace, Pastor Jeff Riddle
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