Reflections on Fruits of the Spirit (1)

May 13, 2001

By Mark Mullins

FREEDOM vs. LEGALISM

For the next couple of months, Tim's messages will elaborate on each of the characteristics listed as the "fruit of the Spirit" in Galatians 5:22-23.  I thought it would be good to look at the book of Galatians as a whole, and the context in which these verses are written.  I will probably send out two short studies each week, and I will try my best to make the length manageable!

I read Galatians twice on my plane trips to and from Texas--looking at both the English and the Greek texts--and I experienced anew this great book of Christian freedom.  I would encourage you to read it once or twice over the next few weeks.   There is nothing better than reading a biblical book from beginning to end to help us to see the context.

Today I want to make a few observations about the book as a whole.  The book is written to several churches in the province of Galatia, in the central part of modern-day Turkey.  Galatia was and is a very remote outpost, with little exposure to Roman culture, commerce, or learning.  In other words, Galatia is "out in the sticks" and its people are simple-minded.  Thus Paul feels free to use very simple, direct language-- language that we might even find offensive if it were directed at us.

Paul wrote this letter after hearing about serious conflict at the churches in the region.   This conflict revolved around unequal relationships--one group in the church trying to manipulate another.  The result of this manipulation is that the Christians are accepting a "different gospel"--a gospel of legalism rather than freedom.  One specific issue there is circumcision; but Paul spends very little time on that surface issue, exploring instead the deeper issues of what legalism does to one's spiritual life.

Galatians, more than any other biblical book, exposes legalism for what it is--fleshly idolatry.  Anyone whose relationship with God is based on what they do should read Galatians with grave concern.  Paul uses stark language to state that salvation has nothing to do with works, and that Christianity is characterized by freedom rather than law.  (As we will see in future installments, Paul's quarrel is not with the Law of Moses, but with legalism in general.)