The Futility of Trusting in Works (Gal. 5: 2-6)
I. You are separated from the truth (v.2)
A. There is no spiritual benefit in circumcision (works).
B. One cannot trust in Christ and his own efforts (works of the Law or tradition). [Rom. 9: 30-32]
Il. You are snared by the law (v.3)
A. Keeping any part of the Law implies that one must keep all of the Law. [Gal. 3: 11-12; Js. 2: 10-11; Rom. 9: 30-32]
Ill. You are severed from Christ (v.4)
A Embracing the Law means letting go of grace and Christ. (Rom. 7: 21)
a. Paul is not speaking of loss of salvation:
b. The believer is eternal secure in salvation (Jn. 6: 37-40, 10: 27-29; Rom. 8: 29-31, 38-39]
IV. You are shut off from righteousness (v.5-6)
A. You are experientially excluded from hope and righteousness. (v.5)
B. You are experientially excluded from growth and joy.
a. The Appeal is to live and grow in holiness. [Phil 2: 12-13; Rom. 12: 1-2, 6: 11-12; Col. 3: 5; Gal. 5: 13, 2 Tim 2: 15]



Points to Ponder:
l. Man can add nothing to the grace of God for his justification or sanctification. Only life in, by, and through the Holy Spirit can produce the righteous life that God desires.
2. The question is "How are you going to use your freedom in Christ?"




John F. MacArthur Jr., Galatians, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1983), 135, 137.

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Daniel Bush and Noel Due, Live in Liberty: The Spiritual Message of Galatians (Bellingham, WA: Le.xham Press, 2015), 149.

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Tony Evans, Free at Last: Experiencing True Freedom Through Your Identity in Christ (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2001), 76. 129 Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, Israelology: The Missing Link in Systematic Theologv, Rev. ed. (Tustin. CA: Ariel Ministries. 1994), 593.

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130 Charles Spurgeon, Galatians, ed. Elliot Ritzcma, Spurgeon Commentary Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2013). Ga 5:3.

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Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Basic Theology: A Popular Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth (Chicago: Moody Ptvs.s, 1999), 385-86.

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Bob Deffinbaugh, The Goal of the Gospel (Galatians 5:1-12). Online, Accessed on November 10. 2018. https://bible.org/seriespage/goal-gospel-galatians-$ I -12

Donald K. Campbell, "Galatians," in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1985), 605. MacArthur, Commentary, 137 Ibid., 137.

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