Galatians 5
Understanding True Freedom in Christ: A Look at Galatians 5
In Galatians 5, Paul challenges the believers to reconsider what true freedom in Christ really means. The message is clear: we are not saved by a combination of Jesus and anything else—whether it’s good works, circumcision, or even a moral lifestyle. This freedom we have in Christ is complete, unearned, and impossible to add to through our own efforts. Let’s take a closer look at what Paul is teaching us and how we can apply this to our lives today.
Freedom from the Law: It's All About Jesus
One of the central themes in the opening verses of Galatians 5 is the importance of recognizing that our salvation is solely through Christ, and not through any external rituals or law-keeping. In the context of Paul’s time, there was a group of believers trying to convince the Galatians that in order to be truly saved, they had to follow Old Testament laws, particularly the practice of circumcision. Paul immediately calls out this false teaching, emphasizing that Jesus is enough.
The freedom we experience in Christ means we are no longer bound by the old system of rules and regulations. This freedom doesn't mean we have permission to live however we want, but it does mean we don’t have to strive to earn God’s favor through performance. We can rest in the finished work of Jesus, knowing that nothing can add to or take away from what He has done. As Paul puts it, it’s not about Jesus plus anything else—it’s Jesus, and only Jesus.
In our own lives, we often fall into the trap of thinking we need to add something to Christ’s work—maybe a good deed, a perfect moral record, or even a “good Christian attitude.” But the gospel reminds us that Christ’s sacrifice is complete and sufficient. We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, and there’s nothing more we can do to earn or unearn that grace.
The Danger of a Little Leaven: How Small Compromises Lead Us Astray
In verses 4 and 5, Paul warns the Galatians that if they try to be justified by the law, they are alienating themselves from Christ. He’s making it clear that a little bit of law-keeping, even if it seems harmless, is actually a dangerous compromise. It’s like the metaphor of leaven in dough: just a small amount of yeast can cause the whole batch to rise. In the same way, allowing even a small bit of law-keeping to creep into the gospel distorts the entire message of grace.
Paul’s warning isn’t just for the Galatians; it’s for us as well. How often do we let small compromises sneak into our thinking? Maybe we don’t actively try to earn our salvation, but we start to measure our worth by our performance: “I had a good day because I read my Bible and didn’t mess up,” or “God will bless me because I’ve been a good person.” These little thoughts can gradually shift our focus from God’s grace to our own efforts, and before we know it, we’re no longer operating in the freedom of Christ, but in a works-based mentality.
The key to avoiding this is constant self-reflection and accountability. Like Paul suggests, we need to regularly check in with ourselves: “Am I trusting in Christ alone, or am I adding something to the equation?” We need to be surrounded by people who will lovingly challenge us when we start to slip into legalism and remind us that the gospel is about grace, not works.
Using Our Freedom to Serve Others: Following the Example of Christ
In verses 13–15, Paul urges the Galatians to use their freedom, not as an excuse for selfishness or indulgence, but to serve one another in love. He reminds them that the whole law is summed up in the command to “love your neighbor as yourself.” This radical use of freedom is modeled by Jesus, who, though fully free, chose to lay down His life in service to others.
Our freedom in Christ should lead to a life of humble service. It’s easy to think of freedom as the ability to do whatever we want, but true freedom is the power to choose to love and serve others, just as Jesus did. This means that when we have the ability to make choices—whether it’s about what we do with our time, our money, or our energy—we should ask ourselves: How can I use this freedom to bless and encourage others?
For example, if we’re in a group of friends where someone is struggling with an issue—whether it’s addiction, a bad habit, or just a difficult season of life—we might have the freedom to indulge in something they struggle with, but true freedom in Christ means choosing to limit our freedom for their benefit. This could mean refraining from drinking alcohol around a friend who’s trying to stay sober or avoiding certain topics of conversation that might cause someone to stumble. Our freedom isn’t just for our own benefit; it’s for the sake of others.
Reflecting Christ in Our Freedom
The gospel calls us to a freedom that is not about indulging our flesh, but about living in step with the Spirit. As we live out our faith, it’s important to regularly examine our lives and ensure that we are living in the freedom that Christ has given us—freedom from the law, freedom from self-reliance, and freedom to serve others in love. This isn’t always easy, and it takes intentional effort, but it’s a life that reflects the heart of Jesus.
In our communities, our homes, and our workplaces, we have opportunities to use our freedom to bless others. Let’s choose to live in that freedom, not as a license to do whatever we want, but as an opportunity to love and serve others, just as Christ has loved and served us. After all, true freedom is not found in what we can do for ourselves, but in what we can do for others in the name of Christ.
Living in the Freedom of the Spirit
In our world today, we are constantly encouraged to embrace our freedom. It's easy to get caught up in the idea that our freedom means we can do whatever feels right in the moment, or whatever makes us happy. However, the Bible offers a different perspective on freedom—one that calls us not to self-indulgence, but to self-sacrifice and a life led by the Holy Spirit. We’re reminded that true freedom isn’t about doing whatever we want. Instead, it’s about surrendering to the power of the Spirit and using our freedom to love others and bear the fruit of God’s Spirit.
The Battle Between Flesh and Spirit
Paul’s letter to the Galatians paints a clear picture of the tension every believer faces: the battle between the flesh and the Spirit. We all have desires that pull us away from God’s will, and if we’re honest, we often feel torn between the easy path of indulging those desires and the challenging path of following Christ. Paul addresses this struggle, telling us that when we walk in the Spirit, we do not gratify the desires of the flesh. This isn't about “white-knuckling” our way through life or relying on sheer willpower. It’s about surrendering to the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to work in us, change us, and transform us into the image of Christ.
The key here is surrender. It’s not about striving in our own strength, but rather yielding to the Spirit’s power. As we cultivate a relationship with the Holy Spirit through prayer, spiritual disciplines, and accountability, we begin to bear fruit. This fruit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—becomes the evidence of the Spirit’s work in our lives. It’s not something we can fake or manufacture on our own; it’s a natural outcome of living in surrender to God.
The Role of the Holy Spirit in Our Sanctification
One of the most beautiful truths in Galatians 5 is the reminder that the Holy Spirit is the one who sanctifies us. Sanctification is a big word, but it simply means the process of becoming more like Jesus. We often forget that this process is not something we do alone or by our own power. It is the Holy Spirit working in us, changing our hearts and minds, and empowering us to live out the life God calls us to.
Interestingly, we don’t often emphasize the holiness of the Holy Spirit in the same way we do with the Father and the Son. We might say “Holy Father” or “Holy Jesus,” but how often do we reflect on the Holy Spirit as the one who makes us holy? The Spirit is the sanctifier, the one who takes us from where we are and leads us to where God wants us to be. He empowers us to live the life that we were created for—one that reflects God’s love and righteousness. When we say "Holy Spirit," we’re not just acknowledging His divinity, but we’re also acknowledging the work He is doing in us.
As we allow the Spirit to work in us, we are marked by His holiness. We are no longer our own; we belong to God. This should be a source of both comfort and challenge. Comfort, because we are not left to our own devices in this battle between flesh and Spirit. Challenge, because we are called to bear the fruit of the Spirit, to live a life that reflects His work in us, and to share His love with others.
Embracing the Power of the Spirit
Ultimately, the message of Galatians 5 is a message of hope. We can live a life that reflects the fruit of the Spirit, not by our own strength, but by the power of the Holy Spirit working in us. It’s a lifelong journey, and we will face struggles along the way. But we are not alone. The Spirit is with us, helping us, empowering us, and transforming us.
As we continue to live out our freedom in Christ, let’s remember that our freedom is not a license to live however we please. It’s a freedom that calls us to love others, to bear fruit, and to live in surrender to the Spirit. This is the life we are invited into, a life marked by holiness, love, and the transformative power of God’s Spirit.
