Freedom, Love, and Faith

May 22, 2022 Background Scripture: Galatians 5:1 -15 Lesson Passage: Galatians -15 The previous lesson was about the bondage of sin and the Law's inability to remove that bondage. In today's lesson, Paul added to his discussion of grace. Jewish Christians were familiar with the Law and its ordinances and observances, They expected to still be accountable for taking those same prescribed actions even under grace. Although they had accepted Christ as their Savior, they continued to do what was required under the Law. Furthermore, they were instructing the Gentile converts to take the same actions. One such act was circumcision. Some members of the congregation of Galatia were requiring new members to be circumcised as specified by the Law. They believed circumcision was necessary for them to be accepted by God—despite grace. However, they were not aware that what grace invites believers into is very different from the requirements of the Law. Paul warned the Gentile Christians that trying to fulfill the Law after being accepted by Christ is akin to rejecting the grace they had received through Christ. Paul's question to them was, who told you this was necessary? Paul went on to express his frustration by suggesting that those who were teaching that the congregation had to be circumcised to be saved should themselves be circumcised from the congregation. The proper response for those saved by the grace of God through Christ is to live a life of faith and love. What does it mean to live in this manner? It means to love others as yourself. This is not an emotional response to others but a benevolent act of the will that is motivated by the needs of others. This is caring for others by assisting in the things they have need of—to the extent possible. It is through benevolent love that Christians demonstrate their faith. The more we focus on meeting the needs of others, the less we will focus on the selfish desires of our flesh. The earthly ministry of Jesus demonstrated a life of faith. Jesus constantly focused on meeting the needs of others. Jesus did it even when his disciples thought it was best for him not to. Jesus faced constant opposition and harassment from the Jewish religious leaders for the same reason. Jesus was scorned if he healed people on the Sabbath. Even if the person had suffered for many years and needed physical relief, the religious leaders had no pity for them if that relief came on a Sabbath. They were too busy attempting to meet the requirements of the Law to concern themselves with the needs of others around them. They did not know that Jesus' ministry of benevolent love was fulfilling the requirements of the Law, They were blinded by their own selfish desires. Unfortunately, this same attitude crept into the congregation at Galatia after some of the Jews surrendered to grace. They believed that their own effort in fulfilling the Law was indeed a necessary part of salvation. Some taught others, including Gentile converts, the same thing. This is what Paul was addressing in today's lesson. Grace had freed them from the bondage of sin. Sin is strengthened through the weakness, and desires, of human flesh. This newfound freedom in Christ should be expressed by a life of faith demonstrated through benevolence to others. This would lead to prioritizing the needs of others above one's own needs. Our faith in Christ has made us free from sin's bondage. Walking in love towards others allows us to express our faith in tangible ways; and that is real freedom. Robert C. Hudson May 2, 2022