July 24 - Galatians 5 (part 1)

Gal 5:1 1It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Christ has set us free. Do not be burdened with "yoke of slavery" such as carnal desires, greed of money, pride, gluttony. Remember that God abhors pride. Pride is worse than murder & adultery. When David schemed and took somebody's wife to be his, he was punished…his baby with that woman died. When David felt proud of his successes and decided to do a census, God punished him by killing thousands (or is it tens of thousands?). Gal 5:6 6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Gal 5:6 (NKJV) 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. Circumcision is only a symbolic event. What is important is the process of renewal, which involves removing our carnal self, and having Holy Spirit dwell in us. "Faith through Love" is the focus. Gal 5:7 7You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? I was running a good race. I was living a good Christian life. I was invited to become the President of Christian Union (of my school). I because the Treasurer of IKUTM (Christian Fellowship of UTM). What kept me away? What things/events drove me further away from God? Back then in 1986…. Busy with studies & assignments? Falling out of love? Seeing and angry with "church politics"? Disappointed with the lies of Christian leaders who claimed to receive God's views (thru tongues, visions, etc.)? Gal 5:13-15 13You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature[a]; rather, serve one another in love. 14The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 15If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. Gal 5:13-14 (NKJV) 13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Love one another, serve one another. Love one another through serving one another, helping one another. "You shall love you neighbor as yourself" is a supreme command. This is the golden rule in dealing with people. If we love our neighbors, our friends, our relatives, many people-oriented problems would be resolved or even prevented. Backbiting, backstabbing, gossiping and slandering are terrible. I remember how I was slandered by a distinguished Lion, who was an elder in his church. What a shame! A Christian who looks righteous among his parish… is actually a backstabber and slanderer.