2.7 KiB
Freedom of the Christian
Chapter 5
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For freedom, Christ set us free. Stand firm, then, and don't submit again to a yoke of slavery.
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Take note! I, Paul, am telling you that if you get yourselves circumcised, Christ will not benefit you at all.
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Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to do the entire law.
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You who are trying to be justified by the law are alienated from Christ; you have fallen from grace.
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For we eagerly await through the Spirit, by faith, the hope of righteousness.
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For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision accomplishes anything; what matters is faith working through love.
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You were running well. Who prevented you from obeying the truth?
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This persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.
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A little leaven leavens the whole batch of dough.
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I myself am persuaded in the Lord you will not accept any other view. But whoever it is that is confusing you will pay the penalty.
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Now brothers and sisters, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished.
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I wish those who are disturbing you might also let themselves be mutilated!
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For you were called to be free, brothers and sisters; only don't use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.
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For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself.**
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But if you bite and devour one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.
The Spirit versus the Flesh
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I say, then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh.
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For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don't do what you want.
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But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
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Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity,
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idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions,
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envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these things--as I warned you before--that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
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But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
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gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.
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Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
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If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
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Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.