It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep
WEEK 35
AVOIDING HYPOCRISY AND CRAVING
SINCERITY
GALATIANS 5:1-14
It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.
You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough. I have confidence in you in the Lord that you will adopt no other view; but the one who is disturbing you will bear his judgment, whoever he is. But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished. I wish that those who are troubling you would even mutilate themselves.
For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
DEAR FATHER, we know that salvation
does not come through the law. Much less could any physical rite or ceremonial surgery
ever save a sinner from the righteous condemnation
of your judgment. If the law held forth any hope of salvation
we would still be bound to keep it in every detail, and we know that only the sinless Son of God
could ever accomplish such perfect obedience. So salvation by law is an absolute impossibility
for sinful people like us.
But Christ is the ideal and the fulfillment
of everything the law ever aimed for1— including the righteousness You require of us. Christ fully attained the perfection that is impossible for us. His righteousness is therefore a perfect covering
and we lay hold of it by faith in Him. His sacrifice on our behalf at Calvary
totally liberates us from the law's condemnation. His death counts as full punishment for our sins. His sinless life furnishes the perfect righteousness we lack. You have thus wholly reconciled us to Yourself through Christ. He who knew no sin became sin on our behalf,
so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.2
We acknowledge You as our sovereign Lord.
You hear prayer, and to You all people of faith may freely come. As for our transgressions, You forgive them.3
You answer us in righteousness. You establish the mountains;
You still the roaring of the seas; You suppress the tumult of the peoples. Those who dwell in the ends of the earth stand in awe. You make even the dawn and the sunset shout for joy.4
How we thank You for prompting our hearts
to believe, receive, and embrace
the truth of Your Word, the work of Your Son, the fullness of Your Spirit, and the blessing of Your salvation.
We confess, righteous Lord, that we are unworthy
of Your favor and forgiveness. We have sinned—repeatedly—and done what is evil in Your sight.5
Our iniquities are more numerous than the hairs of our heads.6
Our transgressions are multiplied before You,
and our sins testify against us. We know our own iniquities all too well. We have transgressed and denied the Lord. We have turned away from our God. We have spoken evil. And we have conceived evil in our hearts.7
Of all those things we are shamefully guilty;
we have no excuse and no plea but Your mercy. Be merciful to us; pardon our iniquities;
and bless us with abundant grace
that we might live holy lives that honor You.
We desire to serve You from the heart
as a sincere expression of the same righteous love
with which You loved us
and drew us into the fellowship of faith.
Help us to hate hypocrisy more in our own hearts
than when we suspect it in others. Clothe us with humility
and lead us in the paths of righteousness
for Your name's sake.8
Loose our tongues to speak of the glory of Your kingdom
and talk of Your power.9
May our confession of Christ and our testimony about Him to others
be wholehearted and true.
May we persevere in the faith until we see You face to face. We look forward eagerly to that day! In Christ's worthy name we pray. Amen.
1. Romans 10:4 2. 2 Corinthians 5:21 3. Psalm 65:2-3 4. Psalm 65:5-8 5. Psalm 51:4 6. Psalm 40:12 7. Isaiah 59:12 8. Psalm 23:3 9. Psalm 145:11