Day 5 

Lisa Sheffler, author  

Listen at bit.ly/EngageGodDaily  

Happy Friday!

Let’s reflect on what we’ve learned this week, invite the Spirit to transform us and commit to living out his guidance.

Reflect  

Take another look at Galatians 5:1–12.

• What are Paul’s main points in this passage? How has it helped you better understand your freedom in Christ? What does faith expressing itself through love mean to you? How does that differ from a reliance on rule-keeping?
• What has stayed with you personally as you’ve studied this passage?

Connect  

If you live long enough as a Christian, you’ll probably notice how the church-at-large will swing in focus, particularly when one generation folds into the next. The spotlight of concern will shine more brightly on certain behaviors and leave others in the dark. The young will inevitably critique the “the way we’ve always done it.” Across the wide spectrum of believers, one group will claim Christian freedom in one area, but tighten up in others. Another group might do the opposite. The socially and culturally constructed understanding of what a “good Christian” looks like often shifts depending on time, place, and circumstances.

The “gray” areas that exist between what is clearly forbidden by the Bible and what is clearly permissible will morph and change shape. In many denominations in the not-too-distant past, drinking alcohol would have put your church membership at risk. Now, although experiences vary, it probably wouldn’t be a scandal to see a fellow church-goer out at a restaurant with a glass of wine in their hand. Sometimes the differences are less generational and more cultural. There are Christians who would proudly show off their gun collection while for others, “Christian gun owner” is an oxymoron.

It’s so often in the “gray” that Christians fight and squabble. We judge and ostracize and decide that our “rules” are better than their “rules,” so we are the truly righteous ones. We might consider that we like black and white rules that abolish the gray because they don’t require us to trust God and rely on the Spirit. Even if they are manmade, these rules can feel more comfortable than freedom in Christ.

We would do well to remember Paul’s insistence that “in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” Paul isn’t celebrating the uncircumcised at the expense of the circumcised, or vice versa, because neither state ushers you into the presence of God. Faith in Jesus is what brings us into God’s family and creates the family resemblance that makes us recognizable to the world.

The Spirit empowers us to express our faith in relentless, sacrificial love. As a church, and as individuals we can pursue the good of others. We can share the love of Christ in tangible ways. And what about those “gray areas”? In navigating those spaces, wisdom is key, and only the Spirit can help us walk through this life in a way that honors the unbelievable grace of God and demonstrates the self-giving love of Jesus. When we love one another and share in meaningful conversations where the Spirit is presence, we can find unity in Christ, even when we disagree, because we recognize that our faith is not expressed in “being right,” but in love.

Respond  

Back in Galatians 2:20, Paul gave us a beautiful picture of “faith working through love,” and it’s Jesus and our response to him. Reflect on this verse as you pray over how God would have your respond to his Word. “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Now slow down, pray over these prompts, and ask the Spirit to direct you.

Ask the Father:

• What do you want me to take away from what I’ve studied this week? What do you want me to remember and keep present with me?
• What do you want me to do with the truth of your Word? What is the one, next, right step that you want me to take?
• What are you teaching me about you? About who you are and the relationship I have with you? How can I worship and love you based on what you’ve revealed?

Pray about ways that your faith can work through love this week. Who can you share your ideas with? Have a meaningful conversation this week about freedom, faith, the Spirit, and love.

Coming up next week… 

At last! The Holy Spirit and the fruits of the Spirit make their appearance next week! Can’t wait to study them with you.