Sunday
Read Galatians
5
In your journal, write down the things that stick out to you from today’s Bible reading. Respond to what God shows you as you feel led (confession, thanksgiving, etc.).
In your journal, write down the things that stick out to you from today’s Bible reading. Respond to what God shows you as you feel led (confession, thanksgiving, etc.).
This chapter teaches
boldly against legalism. It even goes so far as to say that those who try to
become blameless by obeying the law on their own efforts are “severed from
Christ” (v 4). Legalism denies Jesus’ power and sufficiency to liberate us from
bondage to sin and death. But we cannot stop there; we must figure out why
Christ set us free. What kind of life does He want us to live in light of
freedom? This passage of Scripture gives two key markers of this life (v 13).
First, submitting your life to Jesus means not using your freedom as an excuse
to sin. Paul warns us that “those who practice such things [sin] will not
inherit the kingdom of God” (v 21). Second,
we are to allow the Spirit to use us to love and serve others.
Prayer
and Meditation
1.
“A little yeast works through the whole batch
of dough” (v 9). Are there any influences (media, teachers, etc.) in your life
that are promoting immorality or false doctrine? Ask God what you should do
about these influences.
2.
Galatians
5:22-23 gives us an objective way to evaluate whether we’re heeding the command
to live by the Spirit. Look at the fruit in your life. Based on how you treat
people (think of your family, coworkers/employees, friends, neighbours), are
you living by the Spirit?
3.
Spend
some time praying for the Church in Canada. Confess on behalf of the church
that we’ve fallen into legalism one on end and sinful immorality on the other.
Ask God to purify His Body in this nation and teach us how to love like He
does.
