Read

Review Galatians 5

Reflect

After laying a theological foundation, Paul moves to Christian ethics.  He begins with the responsibility of freedom. He illustrates by using the images of “flesh” and “Spirit” to contrast freedom as self-indulgence with freedom as walking in the life of the Spirit.

He shows the conflicting tension between the two powers. His point is a life lived in Christ, led by the Holy Spirit, is a life of love that reveals itself in behaviors of love. When you are in Christ and are moved by the Spirit, the unexpected acts of Christian love come in response to God’s grace.

Respond

Follow Jesus

Take one more opportunity to practice sharing God’s love today. Today your challenge is to share God’s love with someone where you worship. Consider the person who may not hear words of love and appreciation.

Then, consider your thoughts, feelings, and actions from the past week. How did your actions, and attitudes create an atmosphere of love? Remember it’s called costly grace for a reason!

Pray

Almighty and everlasting God, thank you for giving me the opportunity this week to respond to the love you first offered to me. I celebrate the ways you help me grow in grace. Amen.

Celebrate

Way to go! God’s love multiplied through you throughout the week. Share your reflections from today or this week.

Use a notebook to record your responses. Share your celebrations in the comments below or in the Facebook group (You’ll find a link to request to join in your confirmation email. Not registered? Sign-up here.)

Read

Galatians 5:16-21

Paul illustrates his point by contrasting freedom as self-indulgence with freedom as walking in the life of the Spirit. He uses the images of “flesh” and “spirit” as a way of talking about the Christian life lived in the conflicting tension between two powers.

Reflect

The works of the “flesh” are not to be seen as products of our “lower nature” but as the results of the power of sin at work in the Christian community.  Self-indulgence destroys relationships and community not only by acts of immorality but by generating socially acceptable and even admired, sins that divide into cliques.

Respond

Follow Jesus

The Spirit establishes our identity as followers of Jesus. Today, seek to share God’s love with someone by speaking the truth IN LOVE. Consider the question, “What is the most loving way I can express what I am thinking and feeling?” Then do it.  Continue to use your reflections from Monday to guide you.

Pray

Come Holy Spirit and guide me to live in alignment with you. Speak to my heart and help my words to be filled with grace. When I miss the mark and focus on the flesh, remind me who I am in you. Then, help me to live a life of love. Amen.

Celebrate

How did you respond to God’s love today? Did the fleshy part of you inhibit your response in any way?

Use a notebook to record your responses. Share your celebrations in the comments below or in the Facebook group (You’ll find a link to request to join in your confirmation email. Not registered? Sign-up here.)

Read

Galatians 5:7-12

Paul is not willing to give up on the Galatians. He expresses confidence in them, because of his confidence in Jesus.  

Reflect

Paul’s faith is in Christ’s power, so he appeals not to himself and his doctrine, not to his authority as an apostle, but to the deep conviction that Christ who has set them free will keep them. It would be easy for Paul to water down the gospel, but he is not willing to avoid persecution by appeasing his hearers.       

Respond

Follow Jesus

Reflect on your interactions with other people today. What emotion(s) trip you up in offering grace to others? Today, respond to God’s love in a way that brings you joy. Do you sing, play an instrument, write, draw, cook, etc.? Share a piece of who God created you to be with others today. Consider the ten ways you identified faith can be expressed in love on Day 1. We’ll return to your list tomorrow, so keep it close by.

Pray

Almighty God, take all that I am and all you desire me to be and use it for good. Make me aware of my propensity to please, put off, pout, or leverage positions and power to get my way. Turn my heart and actions toward you and your will. Amen.

Celebrate

How did you respond to God’s love today? What emotion(s) did you experience as you shared God’s love with someone today?

Use a notebook to record your responses. Share your celebrations in the comments below or in the Facebook group (You’ll find a link to request to join in your confirmation email. Not registered? Sign-up here.)