Liberty in the Spirit

In my prior blog I talked about how Jesus Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law. I revealed through the word of God that we are no more servants under the law but heirs of God by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

You can read those blogs here.

Sons of God

In this blog I would like to talk about how God has called us to liberty.

Paul tells us in Galatians Chapter 5 to stand in the liberty for which Christ has set us free. That means to take a firm position without wavering in the freedom granted us by Jesus Christ.

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:5

The liberty in Jesus Christ delivers from compulsory behavior and restrictions imposed by the bondage of Mosaic law keeping.

Paul tells us not to be entangled again with that yolk of bondage.

To be in servitude under the law, Paul likens to being yoked in bondage.

A yoke refers to toiling or hard labor. It suggests one is laboring for something. Pushing and pulling for a desired outcome.

Paul tells us that if we go back under Mosaic Law we are obligated to keep ALL of the law. You cannot cherry pick. You can’t say ‘Well circumcision is gone but I still have to keep the Sabbath or Sabbath keeping is gone but I still have to work for my salvation by doing good deeds.’

All those things are done away with in Christ.

Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. Hebrews 7:11, 12

Obedience to the Mosaic law for justification makes Christ’s work on the cross of none effect. In other words law keeping nullifies the redemption provided by the Savior Jesus Christ.

I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain. Galatians 2:21

Those trying to keep the law by Sabbath keeping, circumcision, cultural behaviors, and good deeds are removing themselves from the covering of grace.

You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. Galatians 5:4

Those going back to the law of Moses put themselves back under the yolk of bondage. This means they are now required to keep ALL of the law including animal sacrifice in order to be perfect. (An impossibility by the way.)

For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. James 2:10

Going back to the law of Moses rejects the redeeming power of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross to save you and keep you saved.

You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. Galatians 5:4

Well you may ask, what am I obligated to do as a Christian to remain right with God? Is there any obligation?

For salvation their is nothing. Salvation is a free gift. We cannot earn it in any way.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

Neither can we work to keep our salvation. Those who are working to keep their salvation by putting themselves under the law of Moses, are mixing law and grace. This is a false doctrine.

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. Romans 10:4

For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continues not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. Galatians 3:10

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Galatians 2:16

Once we are saved (born again) we inherit the promise of the Holy Spirit.

But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. Romans 7:6

To find out more check out my blog.

Heirs of the Promise

Paul goes on to say in Galatians Chapter 5 that being led by the Spirit we can live a life that pleases God.

But if you are led of the Spirit, you are not under the law. Galatians 5:13

Paul points out that the main theme to being led of the Spirit is loving our neighbor or fellow man the way we love ourself.

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Galatians 5:14

Being led by the Spirit keeps us from operating in the flesh or the fallen nature.

If you take a look at the flesh list in Galatians 5 you will notice something. It is an all about me list! How I can get pleasure or my way at the expense of others!

Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like. Galatians 5:19-21

Paul tells us that those who live for the flesh or for themselves and their carnal desires cannot inherit the kingdom of God.

I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:21

That means that following after the flesh or carnal nature as a habitual life style reveals that one is not really born of the Spirit.

Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. 1 John 3:9

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Romans 8:14

Evidence of being Spirit led is producing Spirit filled fruit. That fruit is laid out for us in Galatians Chapter 5.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22

Performance under the law is a man made, man demonstrated process of behavior. It is actions that are self initiated not Spirit led.

Being led by the Spirit one must be born of the Spirit. (I will go into greater detail in my next blog)

When one is born of the Spirit the old man or carnal nature is crucified with Christ and dead to sin. We have the Holy Spirit to help us keep sin under our feet.

Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. Romans 6:11

For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. Romans 6:14

Herein is a list of differences between law keeping and Spirit led behavior.

1. Law keeping is a form or shadow of knowledge but denies Holy Spirit empowerment. It is a one size fits all system with no personal relationship with God.

2. Law keeping is devoid of love. It is obedience to rules based on achieving approval with God. Walking in the Spirit is based on loving others unconditionally. God’s love is powerful to bring repentance, forgiveness and restoration.

3. Law keeping brings a curse because no one can keep the law in it’s entirety. By trying to keep the law we will fail time and time again.

4. With law keeping we become servants to a system of rules and regulations. Being led by the Spirit is a relationship with God based on sonship.

5. Being led by the Spirit our lives reflect God’s character because God lives in his children.

6. We please God because like Jesus we do as we see our Father do. We are empowered to reflect God’s glory in all that we do!

For in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, For we are also His offspring. Acts 17:28

In conclusion, when we become born again by the Holy Spirit we become new creatures in Christ. We are no longer servants under the law but children of God.

We have an inheritance in Christ. The promised Holy Spirit who helps us utilize the keys to the Kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit becomes our helper, our teacher our counselor and our advocate.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. John 14:26

Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:17

I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. Ezekiel 36:27

Being led by the Spirit is dependent on being born of the Spirit. When we are born of the Spirit we are made alive unto God. Then we learn how to walk in the Spirit

To find out more, check out my next blog!