1 IN [this] freedom Christ has made us free [and completely liberated us]; stand fast then, and do not be hampered and held ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery [which you have once put off].
2
Notice, it is I, Paul, who tells you that if you receive circumcision,
Christ will be of no profit (advantage, avail) to you [for if you
distrust Him, you can gain nothing from Him].
3 I once more protest and testify to every man who receives circumcision that he is under obligation and bound to practice the whole of the Law and its ordinances.
4 If you seek to be justified and declared righteous and to be given a right standing with God through the Law, you are brought to nothing and so separated (severed) from Christ. You have fallen away from grace (from God's gracious favor and unmerited blessing).
5 For we, [not relying on the Law but] through the [Holy] Spirit's [help], by faith anticipate and wait for the blessing and good for which our righteousness and right standing with God [our conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action, causes us] to hope.
6 For [if we are] in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through love.
7 You were running the race nobly. Who has interfered in (hindered and stopped you from) your heeding and following the Truth?
8 This [evil] persuasion is not from Him Who called you [Who invited you to freedom in Christ].
9
A little leaven (a slight inclination to error, or a few false
teachers) leavens the whole lump [it perverts the whole conception of
faith or misleads the whole church].
10 [For my part] I have confidence [toward you] in the Lord that you will take no contrary view of the matter but will come to think with me. But he who is unsettling you, whoever he is, will have to bear the penalty.
11
But, brethren, if I still preach circumcision [as some accuse me of
doing, as necessary to salvation], why am I still suffering persecution?
In that case the cross has ceased to be a stumbling block and is made meaningless (done away).
12 I wish those who unsettle and confuse you would [go all the way and] cut themselves off!
13 For you, brethren, were [indeed] called to freedom; only [do not let your] freedom be an incentive to your flesh and an opportunity or excuse [for selfishness], but through love you should serve one another.
14
For the whole Law [concerning human relationships] is complied with in
the one precept, You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself.
[Lev. 19:18.]
15
But if you bite and devour one another [in partisan strife], be careful
that you [and your whole fellowship] are not consumed by one another.
16 But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God).
17
For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the
[desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature);
for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and
in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do.
18 But if you are guided (led) by the [Holy] Spirit, you are not subject to the Law.
19 Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are immorality, impurity, indecency,
20
Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper),
selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with
peculiar opinions, heresies),
21
Envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you beforehand, just
as I did previously, that those who do such things shall not inherit
the kingdom of God.
22
But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within
accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper,
forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness,
23
Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint,
continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a
charge].
24
And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the
flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires.
25
If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by
the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in
line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]
26 Let us not become vainglorious and self-conceited, competitive and challenging and provoking and irritating to one another, envying and being jealous of one another.
Devotional
Joy is not a natural response to life but is a miraculous response! Joy a “fruit of the Spirit” and not of your personality. Joy is not a knee-jerk reaction to circumstances but is a miraculous moment in a dark world when His presence is revealed through you.You were not made for depression, for a critical spirit, for gossip or for bitterness: You were made for joy!
If I put sand in the gas tank of my car, not only would I never reach my destination but I would also ruin my car. When Christians fill up their lives with depression or sadness, they ruin their opportunity to live a life of meaning and purpose while on earth.
God made your human body to be a perfect carrier for the joy of heaven’s reality while living in the soil of humanity. You are a perfect fit for His joy! He made you so that He could fill your life with all of the joy that was missing on earth. Don’t waste one more day filled with discouragement or sadness. Plant yourself in His presence until you are filled to overflowing with one of the greatest miracles that humankind has ever experienced: the miracle of joy!
Practical Application:
1- Re-read each Scripture verse from the first 7 days of “21 Days to Beat Depression!” Turn on a worship CD and thank God for Who He is and for what He has done for you.
2- It’s time to be thankful again! Record three more things for which you are grateful in your journal. Publicize your gratitude with #beatdepression!
Declaration:
I declare that I am a carrier of heaven’s joy! My life, from this day forward, will bring joy to a lost and dying world. Depression and discouragement will not fill the empty spaces in my life but joy will be my chief commodity!
Prayer:
“Father, I am honored that You trust me to carry the joy of heaven! I thank You that today is a new day of joy. Amen.”
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