Conference Notes

The Apostle Paul had spent a good deal of time in Galatia, "strengthening all the disciples" there (Acts 18:23). With such interest in them, he must have been quite concerned to see them slipping away from the true teachings of Christianity.

The teachers that were perverting the gospel have been called "Judaizers," since they tried to convince people that Jewish practices such as circumcision and keeping the law of Moses were necessary for Christians, too. These teachers had been influencing the Galatians quite strongly. Paul had already experienced this from others: "false brethren ... who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage" (2:4).

There is liberty in Christ, and we cannot impose anything else on true Christianity. Trying to keep the law appeals to us, because it implies that we can still do something good ourselves to earn God's favor. We have self-confidence, like the people of Israel who said, "All that the Lord has spoken we will do" (Exodus 19:8).

It's true that God sees all Christians as "crucified with Christ." But the emphasis is that I am crucified with Christ. Each one has to learn by experience to say this knowingly and personally.

It's not our works that matter. It's not man's influence or even angels that matter (1:9-10). It's not myself that matters. It's Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the life of faith that matter to God and should matter to believers.

Paul had evidently made a clear presentation of Jesus Christ's crucifixion to the Galatians (3:1). This letter, along with 1 Corinthians, emphasizes His crucifixion more than any other New Testament epistle. Although the crucifixion of the Lord is not by itself the full teaching of the gospel, yet a clear understanding of such a death is essential to the right view of Christianity. If Jesus Christ was crucified in weakness, what Christian would expect that personal strength could accomplish something for God?

Notice that this faith (2:20) is the faith of the Son of God. Paul wanted to see Christ formed in the believers (4:19). Connected with this, we should remember how all that Christ did was controlled by the Spirit of God. This is the same way Christians should be controlled. Paul reminded the Galatians that the Holy Spirit was still the only One who could lead them to please God (3:2-5).

The false teachers emphasized ritual circumcision as a way to please God and show Christian maturity. Christians today sometimes emphasize traditions or other things we're accustomed to doing as a way to please God. We might hear, "Do this and you will be a better Christian." But these things should not be lumped in with Christianity in ways that make them seem like actual doctrine. This will cause us to fall from grace (5:4).

What is this liberty? It is absolute freedom to live according to the Spirit of God. This is not an opportunity for our selfish flesh to satisfy itself and then claim "liberty" (5:13). The Lord Jesus Himself always did and said exactly what the Father gave Him to do and say, and He lived in total liberty as an example to us.

The activity of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Christian is central. We begin in the Spirit when we are first saved (3:3). Then, the Christian life involves living in the Spirit, walking in the Spirit, and being led by the Spirit (5:16, 18, 25). Meanwhile, our fleshly desires actively oppose the Holy Spirit, and this section of Galatians highlights that contrast.

If we are led by the Spirit in these ways, we will not carry out the desires of the flesh, because the Spirit leads us in completely the opposite direction (5:16). Further, we will not need a set of laws that tell us how to do the right thing, either (5:18).

The flesh causes us to struggle against the Spirit, so that we do not do the things we wish to do as Christians. Actually, the list of practices in verses 19-21 are the things we would wish to do naturally! If not for the Spirit of God, we would do these things.

If someone habitually practices the things listed here in Galatians, we would correctly wonder if that person is even a Christian. "Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God" (5:21). God's rights have nothing to do with these types of behavior.

In addition to these clearly distasteful things, problems such as "schools of opinion" and "strifes" are listed right alongside the others. Contending for truth cannot be done in those attitudes.

The believer has crucified the flesh (5:24). This is a unique expression, and it shows how completely we should be done with our self-guided passions and desires.

Galatians 5:22-23 show the fruit of the Spirit in its character. Chapter 6 helps to describe this fruit in action.

"You who are spiritual" should undertake restoration. There is a readiness to help, because it is expected that there will be those who are spiritual and are willing to help. It's "you" in the plural form, suggesting that we should not proudly think of ourselves as sufficient to help all alone. And there is meekness in each heart, knowing that we are capable of the same error ourselves.

Paul gave us a good example in Galatians 2. Peter had to be corrected publically, and Paul did it. He showed spirituality and meekness, yet he was clear and direct in his conversation with Peter.

There are different situations that might need to be addressed. The person here in Galatians was "overtaken" in a sinful action. Different action would be needed if someone is consistently practicing a certain course of behavior.

Those points do not negate personal responsibility. We still have our own loads to bear (6:5). This word "load" is related to a merchant ship's daily cargo. We are responsible for certain things ourselves and should not expect others to carry those loads for us. For example, 2 Thessalonians 3:10 says we should not eat if we don't work.

Principles of sowing and reaping: - It takes time. You do not reap immediately, either for bad or good. - You will reap the same type of produce as was planted. - You will reap more than you planted.

Reaping eternal life seems to suggest that good works done for Christ will come out in all their fulness later. Yet there is also a sense of the enjoyment of eternal life now, as we reap those results already in this life.

The world is crucified to me; I should be finished with it as a believer. Further, the world should be able to see us for what we are---Christ's own people---and thus have no use for us, either (6:14). This clear line of division between us and the world comes as we glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, knowing all that it meant for Him and means for us today.

"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit" (6:18). The singular word "spirit" makes it a personal appeal. How will each of us receive the words of the Lord through this letter to the Galatians?

Recordings of a portion of the conference are available through Bible Ministry Recordings. E-mail Bill Dieck with your request for cassettes or CDs.