After the Galatians believed on the Lord Jesus, they were freed from the slavery of the law. Verse 7 says, “Ye did run well.” This means the Galatians were saved and they were happy Christians. They were living and enjoying the freedom they had in Christ.
Then some false teachers came and told them they had to keep part of the law if they were to be justified. These Christians did not lose their salvation, but they became confused. They thought that they had to believe the gospel and also keep the law. In verse 5, we understand that a believer can be sure he is righteous by faith through the Spirit of God. We cannot become righteous by keeping the law.
If we try by our own power to keep the law, we will fail and we will do the bad works of the flesh rather than the works of God. But if we live by faith through the Spirit of God, we will love one another. A person who is saved has the Spirit of God living inside him, which produces good things in the Christian’s life.
The chapter ends with three commands: (1) Do not brag. (2) Do not provoke or annoy others. (3) Do not be jealous of your friends.
1. If you are justified by the law, you are fallen from __________; Christ is become of __________ to you. Galatians 5:___
2. These believers had a good start in the life of faith, but some false teachers hindered them so that they should not obey the __________. Galatians 5:___
3. We have been called to liberty, not as an occasion for __________, but so that we can __________ one another by love. Galatians 5:___
4. If we follow one primary command, we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. What is it? __________ Galatians 5:___
5. List the fruit of the Spirit (and memorize them). __________ Galatians 5:___