Abide Together: Reflections on Galatians 4-5

In Galatians 4 Paul reminds the Churches of Galatia that they are not slaves to the Law, but are free and now sons. He sums this up in verses 4-5 when he writes, “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law,  so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”  The greatest honor in the world is to be adopted as God’s son through the redemption that comes from His Son, Jesus.  Thank you Lord, for adopting me as your son.

In Galatians 5 Paul calls those who have been adopted by grace through faith in Jesus, to live not under the Law, but to walk by the Spirit that now resides in them.  Walking by the Spirit and not by the Law will not lead to carrying out the desires of the flesh as some say.  Instead, walking by the Spirit leads to a life full of “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” This is the natural result of all those who live/walk by the Spirit of Christ that lives in them.  Lord, remind me daily to walk by the Spirit, so that I will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

– Bryan McKenzie