"For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another."
-Galatians 5:13 KJV
Notice the word "liberty"
In society, the word "liberty" means "the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life, behaviour, or political views." However, in theology, it means freedom from the bondage or dominating influence of sin, spiritual servitude, worldly ties, etc.
This battle of the flesh and Spirit:
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.(Galatians 5:16-18 KJV)
The law of the flesh
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God(Galatians 5:19-21 KJV).
This last verse clearly tell us what the law of the flesh awards us. We are to put away these things from us. Not only putting them away but renewing our minds and by defeating the flesh daily. "For in doing this we are not fallen from grace. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace" (Galatians 5:4, KJV)
The laws of the spirit:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another (Galatians 5:22-26 KJV).
For in this it is written:
For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law (Galatians 5:3 KJV).
As we carry out this law its written:
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.(Galatians 5:1 KJV)
In conclusion:
As we await our fathers return to give us liberty from the world we live in we are to love thy neighbors as he loves us that is his second commandment the first is love the Lord with all thine heart, soul and mind.
The law that it to be carried within thine heart daily:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another (Galatians 5:22-26 KJV).
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
(Galatians 5:1 KJV)
This is our liberty on earth from the devil's ways of the world because we are flesh but not of the flesh. The battle is ongoing but the liberty and freedom from the flesh is there everyday as we choose with our free will to decide what laws with we live by.
References:
- Galatians 5:13
- Galatians 5:19-21
- Galatians 5: 4
- Galatians 5:22-26
- Galatians 5:1
Thoughts:
There must be continuous death of the flesh to have liberty of the spirit.
0 Comments