Christian Liberty

5 Stand a 1fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a byoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that cif you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised dthat he is 2a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 eYou have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; fyou have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly gwait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For hin Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but ifaith working through love.

Love Fulfills the Law

7 You jran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. 9 kA little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is.

11 And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, lwhy do I still suffer persecution? Then mthe offense of the cross has ceased. 12 nI could wish that those owho trouble you would even 3cut themselves off!

13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only pdo not use liberty as an qopportunity for the flesh, but rthrough love serve one another. 14 For sall the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: t“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!

Walking in the Spirit

16 I say then: uWalk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For vthe flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, wso that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But xif you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 Now ythe works of the flesh are evident, which are: 4adultery, 5fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, 6murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that zthose who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But athe fruit of the Spirit is blove, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, cgoodness, dfaithfulness, 23 7gentleness, self-control. eAgainst such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s fhave crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 gIf we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 hLet us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.