SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES 09-09-2018

RECAP OF OUR LAST STUDY From our last study, “Symbols of Law and Grace”, we learnt that faith in Christ is sufficient for our justification. We should beware of trusting in the flesh or our works. Ministers should show compassion on backsliding members by praying till Christ is formed in them. While the Mosaic law brought bondage, the new covenant gives freedom from bondage and brings man into God through the new birth.

TODAY’S STUDY: LESSON 709: MAINTAINING SPIRITUAL LIBERTY MEMORY VERSE: …… “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage” (Galatians 5:1). TEXT: Galatians 5:1-21

TODAY’S STUDY (continued) INTRODUCTION: Our lesson today is an earnest exhortation to stand fast in the liberty of the gospel. The Apostle urged Galatian believers not to go back to the ceremonial Law to avoid being enslaved again. Preachers who uphold the works of the law are enemies of grace. Liberty in Christ entails constant watchfulness and godly living devoid of the works of the flesh. QUESTION 1: What do we derive from Apostle Paul’s boldness in disproving the error of circumcision? – Gal. 5:2-4; Rom. 2:25,26

DENUNCIATION OF THE MIX-UP OF GRACE AND LAW Galatians 5:1-9; 2:21 Jewish teachers urged the Galatian brethren to “be circumcised after the manner of Moses.” This was both confusing and against salvation through faith in Christ, which Paul had preached. Believers are complete in Christ, Whose perfect offering for our sins satisfied the full requirement of the law, which could not give perfection. QUESTION 2: State why adhering to the Mosaic Law is unnecessary for believers in Christ – Col. 2:10; Heb. 10:14; John 19:30; Gal. 2:21

DEMAND TO RETURN TO SPIRITUAL LIBERTY Galatians 5:11-18 Persecution proved that Paul was preaching the true gospel. If he had taught falsehood, no one would have been offended. Spiritual liberty is the freedom the believers have in Christ. To maintain spiritual liberty, the believer must be steadfast in the faith, allowing the Spirit to dwell in us and yielding to His leading. QUESTION 3a: What is spiritual liberty? – Rom 6:14; 8:1-4; Col 3:16 QUESTION 3b: What is misuse of spiritual liberty? – Gal. 5:13; 1 Cor. 8:9; 1 Pet. 2:16

DEMAND TO RETURN TO SPIRITUAL LIBERTY (continued) QUESTION 4: Mention the steps backsliders need to take to return to the love of Christ – Rev. 2:5; Jer. 35:15 QUESTION 5: How can spiritual liberty be maintained? – Gal. 5:7,13,16,18

DAMNATION FOR DESCENDING INTO CARNALITY Galatians 5:19-21; 2 Peter 2:22 Anyone who goes away from the life of grace in Christ has lost his liberty; he will become enslaved to carnal passions. The outcome of this is that such will be rejected by Christ and will suffer eternal agony in the lake of fire.

CONCLUSION Since we are justified only by faith in Christ Jesus and not by the righteousness of the law, we are not to stand again in fear of and bondage to legal ordinances. While our salvation is settled by the work of Christ, this spiritual liberty in Christ is maintained as we yield to the Holy Spirit, Who is present in the believer to subdue the fleshly nature and bear heavenly fruit through our lives.