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JC 1st UMC

Walking by the Spirit in a Divided World

“For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” — Galatians 5:1 (NRSV)


We live in a world that talks a lot about freedom—freedom of speech, freedom of choice, freedom of religion. But for the Apostle Paul, freedom isn’t merely about personal rights or unchecked liberty; it’s about what we do with that freedom in Christ.


Galatians 5:1 and 13–25 brings us to the heart of Christian discipleship. Paul calls believers not to return to the “yoke of slavery,” meaning both legalism and self-indulgence, but to use our freedom to serve one another in love. In the United Methodist Church, this aligns with our understanding of personal and social holiness—growing in love for God and neighbor (The Book of Discipline, ¶102).


The Gift and Purpose of Freedom

Paul begins this passage by declaring the radical freedom offered through Christ: “For freedom Christ has set us free” (v. 1). But freedom is not an invitation to indulge the flesh. Verse 13 redirects our understanding: “Do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another.” In Wesleyan theology, this points to the idea of responsible grace—grace that both saves and transforms, calling us into holy living and communal care (Wesley One Volume Commentary, 860).


Freedom, then, is not license but liberation. We are set free from sin and also free for love. True Christian liberty is shaped by the cross, where self-giving love redefines power and choice.


The Battle Within: Flesh vs. Spirit

Paul doesn’t sugarcoat the struggle. The flesh (Greek: sarx) represents the selfish, inward-looking nature of humanity. When we live according to the flesh, we see destructive behaviors emerge: envy, strife, divisions, and all forms of idolatry (vv. 19–21). These are not just personal sins; they fracture communities and distort relationships.


In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit (vv. 22–23) represents the outcome of a life yielded to God’s transforming presence: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” These are not mere virtues to strive for; they are evidence that the Spirit is actively shaping us.


John Wesley would call this the work of sanctifying grace—God's ongoing activity in the believer that leads to Christian perfection, or a heart filled with love (NIB, Vol. XI, 298).


Walking by the Spirit: A Daily Choice

Paul ends the section with a command: “If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit” (v. 25). This is more than a call to moral behavior; it’s a way of life. Walking by the Spirit means yielding control, resisting the temptations of division and selfishness, and choosing love even when it’s hard.


For the church today—especially in a time marked by polarization and pain—this message is urgent. The world needs a church that shows what Spirit-filled freedom looks like: not self-serving liberty, but loving service. Not judgment, but gentleness. Not division, but the fruit of peace.


So What Does This Mean for Us?

As disciples of Jesus, we are invited into the lifelong journey of spiritual growth. We don’t walk it alone. The Spirit walks with us, grows fruit in us, and uses us to bless others.


So, in this Ordinary Time, as we reflect on the rhythms of daily faith, let’s remember that the Spirit is not only present on Sundays but active in every decision, every conversation, every act of kindness. Freedom in Christ isn’t freedom to do whatever we want—it’s the freedom to become who God created us to be.


Let’s walk by the Spirit, together.


Reflection Questions (Optional for Study Groups):

  1. Where in your life do you feel the tension between the desires of the flesh and the guidance of the Spirit?

  2. Which fruit of the Spirit is God cultivating in you right now?

  3. How can your freedom in Christ be used to serve others this week?



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