1 So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law. 2 Listen! I, Paul, tell you this: If you are counting on circumcision to make you right with God, then Christ will be of no benefit to you. 3 I'll say it again. If you are trying to find favor with God by being circumcised, you must obey every regulation in the whole law of Moses. 4 For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God's grace. 5 But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us. 6 For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.
OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What does the Apostle Paul tell God's children about themselves and warn them against? (v.1)
2) What does Paul tell legalists that they must do if they insist on keeping the law to become righteous? Why? (v.2-4)
3) What do those who live by the leading of the Holy Spirit wait for? Why? (v.5-6)
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) Do you know of anyone who insists on earning their righteousness through "works of the flesh" (self-effort or legalism)? If so, what if anything are you doing to help them?
LIFE LESSONS
5) The Holy Spirit, working in and through the Word of God and other believers, is the only one who can enlighten those who insist on keeping "rules" to earn their righteousness.
No comments:
Post a Comment