Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be … .
Summary: Paul packs a lot into this short sentence. He has been teaching us about the Gospel of Christ, and now he teaches us about the application of that Gospel.
In fairness to you, Dear Reader, and Paul, the author of the letter we are studying, I must begin with the entire sentence we are quoting from today. Paul wrote:
“Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised.”
As I meditated on Paul’s words, it seemed appropriate to pause after the word “be.” The reason for the pause is that there are a lot of different words we could substitute for “circumcised.”
The issue of circumcision is one we have discussed at length and will likely discuss more. However, the core of Paul’s point applies equally well to other situations today. It is absolutely true that some people try to compel others to live a certain way. It is also true that if we are not compelled by the Spirit of God, we are being compelled by the flesh. (As to motive, I am not able to speak to that as confidently as Paul can, but I believe his assessment is appropriate in many cases.)
Let’s review where Paul has taken us so far.
Paul’s Gospel is simple. Paul says, “We … know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 2:15-16)
To be “justified” is to be “saved.” They are the same thing.
Paul then affirms that those who put their faith in Jesus also have God’s Holy Spirit in their hearts. He writes, “Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts …” (Galatians 4:6).
Finally, he says we are to “walk by the Spirit, and … not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).
This is where we like to make things complicated.
If you learn something from walking “by the Spirit,” does that authorize you to demand that everyone else obey the lesson you learned? Human nature being what it is, people like to show how much we know and boss other people around. But is that walking by the Spirit?
Review Paul’s two lists again, the “acts of the flesh” and the “fruit of the Spirit.”* When we try to tell other people what to do, the results indicate which list we are operating from. Anything we add to God’s Word is an “act of the flesh.” Anything we demand of others by “means of the flesh” risks turning our backs on the fruit of the Spirit. Paul warns that “those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:21).
Application: Exercise self-control when it comes to allowing God’s Spirit to teach each of us at our own pace.
Food for Thought: What does it look like when a church body applies Paul’s teachings to church life?
*Paul’s two lists: Acts of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21), and fruit of the Spirit (Acts 5:22-23).
What does it look like when a church body applies Paul’s teachings to church life?
Non believers were calling believers to compromise their faith by adding to the work of Jesus Christ on the cross.
The situation was confronted head-on, as Paul brought them back to the reality of our faith and salvation in the sacrifice of Christ alone. Those who try to add to our salvation through Christ’s death and resurrection with their own works today would benefit from a study of Galatians.
We have truth and order rather than lies and chaos as all believers are united around the truths given to us in God’s Word.
Thank you, Ron!
“Truth and order …” I like that!
Having the Bible as our authority simplifies everything and provides clarity that is not possible otherwise.
Since we believe that Paul wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, then what Paul wrote in Scripture originated from God (2 Peter 3: 15 – 16; 2 Peter 1: 20 – 21; 2 Timothy 3: 16 – 17). So when we accurately apply his teachings then we are being obedient to the truth of God’s word. As R2T2 stated, then we have unity based on the truth of God’s word. 2 Timothy 2: 15.
Thanks Rich!
Unity in the Lord is such a beautiful thing!
Blessings!
Hey it’s Omar, was really great talking to you yesterday about our Lord. Really great insight, we’ll be tuning in daily!
Thanks Omar!!
So glad to hear from you and it was an honor to meet you!!
Blessings brother! 🙂
I don’t have much insight today.
If the church applied the teachings of the Bible, it would look like how it was intended to look.
The teachings in scripture have a lot to do with how to handle relationships, what is true, what is godly. I think we do have churches that in general do, but we forget that scripture doesn’t teach how to make people not have conflict (although we imagine that is what it should be), but how to resolve things after conflict. It doesn’t answer every question, so it’s okay that we all bring different ideas on the “non essential” aspects of our faith. Sometimes we elevate those differences of opinion to the level of “essentials” in our faith, which is more conflict than necessary. Sometimes there are “essentials” we should have a former stance on, and that is what Paul in this specific passage is calling for. Do not compromise on what, or rather who, brings you salvation.
Thank you, Angela!
You seem to have more insight than you let on!
“[Church] would look like how it was intended to look.”
That is a simple statement, but quite profound in a way. How was church intended to look? People loving God above all else and their neighbors like themselves.
Then you talk about what qualifies as “essentials.” This also is an important point. What is truly essential is love. God, after all, is love (1 John 4:8). When we try and add to God’s list of essentials, we water down the actual essential of love. In some cases we distract from this essential all together.
I’m with Angela.
🙂