EPISODE · Dec 2, 2022 · 45 MIN
Galatians 5:16-25 A Fruitful, Beautiful Life
from RUF at UNCW · host Reformed University Fellowship at UNCW
In this week's passage from Galatians, the Apostle Paul begins to explain how salvation by grace through faith in Jesus produces real, lasting change in those whom Christ saves. And that real, lasting change, Paul says, comes not by external works, nor by mere willpower, but by the indwelling power of the third person of the trinity! In other words, the Christian life is a life that only the Spirit can enable us to live. “Every time we say, "I believe in the Holy Spirit," we mean that we believe there is a living God able and willing to enter human personality and change it.”—J.B. Phillips “First, we must understand that as long as Christ remains outside of us, and we are separated from him, all that he has suffered and done for the salvation of the human race remains useless and of no value for us. Therefore, to share with us what he has received from the Father, he had to become ours and to dwell within us.”— John Calvin. “Freedom is not being turned free to be whatever we want (i.e., egocentrism); nor is it some kind of "self-discovery" or "self-authentication" (that, too, is egocentrism); rather, it is being incorporated into the life of God, which he mediates to us through Christ and allows us to enjoy in the Spirit.”—Scot McKnight “All human nature vigorously resists grace because grace changes us and the change is painful.”– Flannery O’Connor “I know all about the despair of overcoming chronic temptations. It is not serious, provided self-offended petulance, annoyance at breaking records, impatience etc. don’t get the upper hand. No amount of falls will really undo us if we keep on picking ourselves up each time. We all shall of course be very muddy and tattered children by the time we reach home. But the bathrooms are all ready, the towels put out, and the clean clothes are in the airing cupboard. The only fatal thing is to lose one’s temper and give it up. It is when we notice the dirt that God is most present in us; it is the very sign of His presence.” - C.S. Lewis DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Read the quote by Scot McKnight about freedom above. How does his definition conflict with the normal way we tend to think about freedom today? How does it relate with Galatians 5:13? (v.19-21) Which of the works of the flesh do you notice in your life? (v.21) Imagine a Christian friend of yours gets drunk one night, reads v.21, and is scared they’ve lost their salvation. How do you help them? (v. 22-23) Where can you see the fruit of the Spirit growing in your life? How is this process changing you into who you want to be? What are your natural traits which might be confused with spiritual fruit? (v.24-25) How are you making efforts to “crucify” your self-centered desires? What habits and practices are helping you “keep in step” with Jesus ? Discuss with a friend practically what this might mean this week.
What this episode covers
In this week's passage from Galatians, the Apostle Paul begins to explain how salvation by grace through faith in Jesus produces real, lasting change in those whom Christ saves. And that real, lasting change, Paul says, comes not by external works, nor by mere willpower, but by the indwelling power of the third person of the trinity! In other words, the Christian life is a life that only the Spirit can enable us to live. “Every time we say, "I believe in the Holy Spirit," we mean that we believe there is a living God able and willing to enter human personality and change it.”—J.B. Phillips “First, we must understand that as long as Christ remains outside of us, and we are separated from him, all that he has suffered and done for the salvation of the human race remains useless and of no value for us. Therefore, to share with us what he has received from the Father, he had to become ours and to dwell within us.”— John Calvin. “Freedom is not being turned free to be whatever we want (i.e., egocentrism); nor is it some kind of "self-discovery" or "self-authentication" (that, too, is egocentrism); rather, it is being incorporated into the life of God, which he mediates to us through Christ and allows us to enjoy in the Spirit.”—Scot McKnight “All human nature vigorously resists grace because grace changes us and the change is painful.”– Flannery O’Connor “I know all about the despair of overcoming chronic temptations. It is not serious, provided self-offended petulance, annoyance at breaking records, impatience etc. don’t get the upper hand. No amount of falls will really undo us if we keep on picking ourselves up each time. We all shall of course be very muddy and tattered children by the time we reach home. But the bathrooms are all ready, the towels put out, and the clean clothes are in the airing cupboard. The only fatal thing is to lose one’s temper and give it up. It is when we notice the dirt that God is most present in us; it is the very sign of His presence.” - C.S. Lewis DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Read the quote by Scot McKnight about freedom above. How does his definition conflict with the normal way we tend to think about freedom today? How does it relate with Galatians 5:13? (v.19-21) Which of the works of the flesh do you notice in your life? (v.21) Imagine a Christian friend of yours gets drunk one night, reads v.21, and is scared they’ve lost their salvation. How do you help them? (v. 22-23) Where can you see the fruit of the Spirit growing in your life? How is this process changing you into who you want to be? What are your natural traits which might be confused with spiritual fruit? (v.24-25) How are you making efforts to “crucify” your self-centered desires? What habits and practices are helping you “keep in step” with Jesus ? Discuss with a friend practically what this might mean this week.
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Galatians 5:16-25 A Fruitful, Beautiful Life
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