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Paul urges the church to stand firm in the freedom Christ gives and not trade it for a yoke of slavery by making circumcision (or any work) a requirement for being right with God (vv. 1–6). If you choose law-keeping for justification, you’re obligated to keep all of it—and you cut yourself off from the grace of Christ (vv. 3–4). The Christian hope rests not in what we do, but in grace through faith in Jesus alone working through love (vv. 5:6, 11–12).
Freedom isn’t a license to sin; it’s power to love and serve one another, which fulfills the law (vv. 13–14). The battle is real: the flesh desires against the Spirit, but the way forward is to walk by the Spirit so you will not gratify the flesh (vv. 16–18). The works of the flesh are obvious—sexual sin, idolatry, divisiveness, envy, drunkenness—and those who make a practice of such things will not inherit the kingdom of God (vv. 19–21). In contrast, the Spirit grows love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control in us; against such things there is no law (vv. 22–23). Belonging to Jesus means we have crucified the flesh and now keep in step with the Spirit (vv. 24–26).
🌀 Reflection:
Where are you tempted to earn God’s approval or to indulge the flesh? Ask the Spirit to help you “keep in step” today, and pick one fruit of the Spirit to practice intentionally (vv. 16, 22–25).
💬 Mission Challenge:
Serve someone in love this week—meet a practical need, reconcile a strained relationship, or encourage a weary friend—so that your faith works through love (vv. 6, 13–14).
Click here to return to the contents page for Phase 2.2 — The Savior, His Church, and the Mission.
Just Keith Harris 
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