Getting the Rules Straight (Galatians 5:14-26)

Pastor Bob and Janet
Jun 3, 2018
4 min read

If you have ever played any kind of game, you know all about rules. Some games are simple with a very few rules. Some games have lots of complicated rules that may even change, depending upon the situation. Take, for instance, the overtime rules in football. Just ask the 2003 Kentucky Wildcats how complicated they can be. After 5 hours of overtime play, lasting seven overtime periods, Kentucky lost to Arkansas 63-71. Often people will equate the Christian life with following complicated rules. Most of these people don't want any part of the Christian life because of this misunderstanding. Even believers may get caught up in rule-following, trying to be good for God. What we have to understand is that the Christian life is not about rules, it is all about relationship. When we have a relationship with Christ, the obedience to his statutes become easy. Yes, God does have statutes or laws, and he expects his children to follow them. His laws are not rules that have light consequences. His laws outline the code of conduct for his children, and our welfare is relative to following his laws. No better place in scripture paints this picture more clearly than this passage in Galatians 5.

I. The New Testament Law

There are over 600 Old Testament laws in the scripture. Can you imagine trying to keep all those laws straight? Jesus came to set men free of all the complicated laws. He reduced hundreds of laws down to two. In Matthew 22, Jesus tells his disciples that all the law hangs on just two commandments; first, love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and the second is that you are to love your neighbor as yourself. Here in Galatians 5, Paul is expounding on relationships with other people. He repeats Jesus' words, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Born in total depravity, it is not a person's nature to follow that law. Basically, people love themselves. The only way people can turn from selfishness to selflessness is for the Holy Spirit to live in them. It is the power of God in us to be able to love others as much as we love ourselves. When the Holy Spirit is in us, then we are able to crucify the flesh and walk by the spirit. It is then that we are able to practice love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

II. The Performance of the Old Testament Law

Just as being indwelt by the Holy Spirit gives us the power to live and walk by the Spirit, being devoid of the Holy Spirit results in practicing the desires of the flesh. Fleshly desires are sins such as immorality, idolatry, sorcery, jealousy, and anger, to name a few. These elements of the fleshly nature are in direct opposition of the Holy Spirit. Verse 21 gives a stark warning. Those who practice acts of the flesh will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Before one comes to Christ, there is a war going on, and the opposing sides are the flesh and the Holy Spirit. You probably noticed that a few of the acts of the flesh may be an occasional occurrence for believers. That doesn't mean an occasional act of anger will cause us to miss heaven. Verse 22 is clear; heaven will be unavailable for those who practice the deeds of the flesh. This verse is talking about those whose nature is fleshly, they practice acts of the flesh regularly, and they do not have the power of the Holy Spirit to resist a fleshly nature.

III. The Power of the Holy Spirit

The nature of the Holy Spirit consists of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. This nature is called the fruit of the spirit. There are multiple elements of the Holy Spirit, but it is an inseparable package. That is why it is called fruit, singular. That means that when we trusted Christ and believed on him, the Holy Spirit, along with his nature, came to live in us. Furthermore, if the Holy Spirit is in us, then we take on his nature.That is the power of salvation. It is simple to know whether or not you are walking with the Lord. Look at your nature- what you practice. It is not about following rules. The story of the rich young ruler found in Mark 10, is a prime example of how following rules is just not enough for eternal life in heaven. This young man asked Jesus what it would take for him to inherit eternal life. Jesus named some commandments like do not murder, do not steal or lie, and always honor your parents. The man told Jesus that he had kept these commandments since he was a boy. The scripture says that Jesus looked at him, and feeling love for him, he said, "One thing you lack. Go and sell all you possess, give to the poor, and come and follow me." At these words, the young man was saddened and he went away. He missed eternal life. He followed all the rules, but he wasn't willing to follow Jesus.

For me, verse 18 is the comforting assurance that being led by the spirit means you are not under the law. That means I do not have to try to be good enough by following rules. All I have to do is follow Jesus. Because the Holy Spirit is in us, by his power, we are able to follow Jesus all the days of our lives. Amen.