What does it mean to “live” in the Spirit?
(Galatians 5:16-25; Rom. 7:14-24) Blog 10-16 Sep., 2017
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: In Galatians Paul warns that there is only one true gospel, that its heart is Christ and him crucified, and that to seek salvation by any other means than by faith alone in this gospel equals the loss of salvation and eternal life. He shows that the gospel comes to a person only by divine revelation, not by human reason, that it demands a lifestyle corresponding to the gift of righteousness we receive in Jesus, and that this lifestyle is not part of the means whereby we are justified but rather the fruit of our justification. Justification is by faith alone for our faith grasps the righteousness of Christ that is good enough to meet God’s perfect standard. This truth is worth dividing the church over and those that teach that faith is an insufficient means for receiving God’s acceptance (and God’s Holy Spirit) should be disfellowshipped from the church. They are in slavery for they seek God’s acceptance by their performance or a portion of it. We who are justified by faith alone are free from the condemnation of the law for in Christ we have perfectly fulfilled the law and now have motivation, power, and guidance to obey it.
Sinful desires (Galatians 5:16-18; Gen. 8:21; Deut. 13:4-5; Rom. 7:14-24; 8:17;)
1. What can we do to help prevent us from fulfilling our sinful desires?
2. How many of us have sinful desires?
3. What does Paul mean when he says “walk in the Spirit”?
4. If Christians have sinful desires, how long will that condition exist?
5. What do our sinful desires prevent us from doing?
6. What is Galatians 5:17 saying?
7. What important function of the Holy Spirit is mentioned in verse 18?
8. What does it mean to be “under the law”?
The works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21; 1 Sam. 15:23; Rom. 7:14-24; 16:17-18; Col. 3:5)
9. In general what does the term “works of the flesh” mean?
10. Into what six categories might we lump Paul’s list of works of the flesh?
11. What ideas does Paul include under sexual sin?
12. To what does the prophet Samuel and Paul in Colossians compare idolatry and witchcraft?
13. How many terms does Paul use to describe hatred?
14. How are heresies related to sinful desires?
15. Who does Paul say will not inherit the kingdom of God?
The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-25; 4:14 Rom. 6:13-22; 13:10)
16. Which of the fruits of the Spirit encompasses all the rest?
17. If “love” encompasses all the fruits of the Spirit then how do they relate to the Law of God?
18. Why does Paul here exalt obedience to the law when in previous chapters he wrote against the law?
19. If “selfishness” characterizes the works of the flesh what term would characterize the fruits of the Spirit?
20. What have Christians done to their sinful natures?
21. What does it mean to “live” in the Spirit?
22. How can we cause provocation and envy in the church?
ANSWERS: 1.Walk in the Spirit; 2. All of us have them; 3. To direct our lives according to the guidance, inspiration, & power of the Holy Spirit; 4. Until glorification; 5. They prevent us from doing all that we would like to do for God – from giving him the glory he deserves; 6. It is saying that those who have received God’s Spirit by faith then have a battle going on within them in which their sinful natures & the Holy Spirit oppose one another thus hindering their perfect fulfillment of God’s will; 7. That the indwelling Holy Spirit leads & guides Christians so that they make right choices directing their steps in the way of holy living; 8. To e “under the law” means to be under its condemnation because one has not given to God the obedience he deserves; 9. It means to act out our sinful desires; 10. Sexual sin, idolatry, hatred, envy, gluttony,& heresy; 11. Breaking marriage vows, sexual intercourse outside of marriage, impure thoughts, & impure expressions; 12. Samuel compares them to stubborn rebellion & Paul to coveteousness; 13. Seven; 14. Heresies can be a means of exalting oneself, of securing followers whom you can seduce, or of seeking financial gain ; 15. Those who make his list of sinful desires their practice; 16. Love; 17. They are the same as obedience to the Law of God; 18. Because all he wrote against the law & obedience to it was written against obedience to the law as a means of being accepted by God (justification) and of receiving the Holy Spirit while here he shows that those whom God accepts by faith alone are given his Spirit to inspire, guide, & empower them to live in obedience to the law – not now as a means of acceptance but as a fruit of being accepted by God – not as the way to be justified but as the way to thank God for his justification; 19. Self-denial; 20. They have crucified them so that although they remain, they no longer reign in their lives; 21. That we derive our spiritual life from the indwelling Spirit & not from our performance; 22. By exalting ourselves and our ministry (gifts) among the brethren.