Take Two: Galatians 5, Proverbs 7

Chapter 5 is another "meaty" chapter in the book. Gal 5:1-12 speaks of committing to one way or the other. The context is still one of persuasian. Paul is not saying that both "Salvation by Grace" and "Salvation by Works" are effective. He is moving the argument along. There were some (I believe) who had stated, "Well, if I am saved by Grace, then anything else I do has no effect on my Salvation. I can be saved by Grace...and keep the Jewish Law too.

Paul draws a line and tells the people that they must choose. By acting in accordance with the Law...one denies the working of the Spirit. Let me put it another way.

If a person claimed to be a Christian today, but also wanted to practice "wicca" (witchcraft), she might make the same argument. I am saved...so nothing I do can separate me. You could substitute anything you wanted in place of "wicca" and would still have the same thing. (humanism, buddhism, Islam, or other false religions that teach salvation is accomplished in any way apart from receiving the finished work of Christ by faith.) Paul tells the church that they must choose.

The other aspect of the argument is "countered" in the next section (Gal 5:13-26). Some would rebut what Paul stated by saying that if what Paul says is true...then people will live any way they want!

Here is the point: Religious liberty is not the same as a license to sin.

We have liberty...but we exercise our liberty according to the principles of LOVE. We cannot act in a manner which is unloving toward others and call it religious liberty. In the same manner, one cannot claim to be a child of God and practice a lifestyle that is opposed to God. We either operate according to the "flesh" or the "Spirit." This is not saying that a Christian never commits a sin like those listed in Gal 5:19-21. We all fall short and commit sin (1 John 1:8). The key word is "practice" (Gal 5:21). Christians do sin... they just don't "set out to do it" and they "don't enjoy it." If you can carry forward with "sin" (you pick which one) and not be bothered by it...then you need to re-examine your relationship with Jesus. Walking by the FLESH and the SPIRIT is not possible since the two are mutually incompatible (Gal 5:17).

Just to summarize what Paul has been saying to this point.

• First, you cannot add anything to the gospel and still have the gospel. Salvation by grace PLUS anything...is no longer salvation by grace.
• Second, the Law was never intended as a means of salvation; rather, it was a tutor/instructor/teacher/guide which pointed to and made people aware that there was no way to master the Law and keep it perfectly...thus pointing for the need for grace and mercy.
• Third, the peace that comes with salvation cannot be experienced except through a genuine salvation. Since that occurred only through Grace, why would anyone go back to a system which promotes activity that does not lead to peace.
• Fourth, One cannot ride the fence on the matter. The nature of the gospel is such that one must choose.
• Fifth, when we choose the gospel (the real one), we also choose to walk by the Spirit...meaning that we choose to live in a manner that is opposed to the flesh. We still wrestle with the flesh (Rom 7), but we choose IN ADVANCE how we intend to act in a given situation, because we have already chosen to walk by the Spirit.

Tomorrow, we will conclude with a call to action...an invitation of sorts from Paul on how to get back on track.

Proverbs 7:22 is the takeaway today. This story begins in v.7 where the naive young man began to wander toward the seedier side of town. It was there that the adultress approached him and began to tempt. Some time elapses where he was enticed. Then, v.22 says that suddenly he follows her, not realizing his own fate. There are a number of warning devices in this life. The Holy Spirit speaks into my life and warns me to turn away from sin and tempting situations. When I don't, I get drawn deeper and deeper into the scenario...until suddenly, I am so far into it, that I can't seem to turn around. Actually, the decision of no return was sudden, but I was not overtaken in sin. I simply gave in on the small steps leading up to the decision.

This is why we are told to flee sin...resist the enemy...and pursue after God. Otherwise...we will stray down a path until suddenly, we are captured by it.