Read Genesis 15:1-15
 

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

2 Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. 3 Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

7 You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? 8 That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9 “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” 10 I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. 11 Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. 12 As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!

Life by the Spirit

13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbour as yourself.”[b] 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

Discuss

1. How does verse 1 summarise what we have heard through the book of Galatians so far?

2. What is Paul warning the Galatians against in verses 2-4? Is Paul saying here that the Galatians who are real Christians are going to lose their salvation?

3. What does it mean that the gospel makes both “circumcision and uncircumcision” (religion and irreligion) both equally valueless? (vv.5-6)?

4. What would it look like to ‘use freedom to indulge the flesh’?

5. In your words, why should christians obey?

6. Why is it important to not just be ‘Free from’ something but also to be ‘Free to’ something?

7. Do you consider loving others to be the epitome of a free life? why/why not?

Apply & Pray.

1. How are you going at loving others at the moment?
2. Are there any areas where you are being too inward and self focussed rather than looking to serve & love others?