Galatians 5: Points to Ponder

The language of chapter 5 suggests that this passage harkens back to the OT history that foretold as a type the eventual coming of the Messiah. Israel became a nation by God’s liberation of her from the bondage of Pharaoh and then His leading her to a new and promised land. They were Egypt’s slaves and the Lord brought them out.

Israel became the direct property of God, a special people with a distinct identity. “… the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto Himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth…” (Deut 7:6).

Israel was brought out of slavery for a purpose and a task (Ex 19:5-6).

Now in the epistle to the Galatians Paul teaches that “… Christ has set us free…” meaning that God’s decisive salvation has been accomplished and a complete change of allegiances has been made. No longer bound by task masters like sin, the law, and death, Christians are set into the service of God. Like Israel, they become His special people, His possession, and the identity of Christians comes into union with the liberator Jesus Christ.

Here is the completion of one of the foundation teachings of Paul that we first saw in 2:6:

“… a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith OF Jesus Christ … we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith OF Jesus Christ, not by works of the law….”

Here is the scriptural proof of the liberator shown carefully by the fact that our reconciliation, and thereby our spiritual freedom, is because of the faith of the Messiah displayed on our behalf. Galatians 6:24 is our last proof of our freedom that came at such a high price paid (the cross), but given freely to each believer: “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh…”.