Galatians – Week 9 – Day 4

READ 

Galatians 5:5-6 

5 But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us. 6 For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love. 

Paul reminded his readers that if they had trusted in Christ by faith, then what they had done or not done concerning a command of the law was not important. A legalist is one who is seeking to become right with God by a list of rules or to become more spiritual by this list. The legalists were not adding anything to their faith if they had trusted in Jesus by faith. Paul emphasized the importance of “faith expressing itself in love.” 

REFLECT 

Even if you have legalists around you, are you expressing your faith in Jesus by loving others? Do you notice a difference in the way legalists express themselves? 

RESPOND 

Talk with a fellow believer about the fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23. If you have trusted in Jesus by faith and serve Him out of love then you do not need a list. The indwelling Holy Spirit will make you sensitive if you do something that does not please Jesus. See Ephesians 4:28-32 for what Paul wrote about regarding how to please Jesus.