When I was a new babe in the Spirit, I started off in the Old Testament and over some time of being on social media and seeing all the different conversations, I started to question what was for today and asked the Holy Spirit to help. He essentially told me in my Spirit and through those of the faith I was around, that I had to be careful of the religious spirit and to focus on JESUS in the New Testament (especially from just believing in Him for the first time in my life, after not believing Him or the devil were real majority of my life). I didn't grow up in church and I can honestly THANK GOD I didn't. I've attended before, but never on a regular basis, just with friends and their family if I had slept over (young childhood years). My closest friend at the time (teenage years) knew I didn't want anything to do with going to church, so if I stayed with her, she would just let me sleep in and wouldn't bother me. I actually grew up pagan (all the make-believe stuff and traditions) and horror movies and really anything paranormal WERE my favorite types of genres (no wonder I use to suffer from anxiety and fear lol). My flesh really enjoyed it, which in return demons loved too. Praise Jesus for deliverance!
One of the biggest things I see today are "Torah" believers. There is the Book of Torah, and it only covers 5 books from the Old Testament, doesn't have the New. They believe in the keeping of the Mosaic law (the law includes the 10 commandments given to Moses) which stemmed from the Jews and their traditions in the Old Testament. A lot of debates I see are from Romans, but I wanted to hopefully bring clarity from the book of Galatians to those that may be questioning things on this topic. Soul's matter, the truth matters.
The book of Galatians is an Epistle (letter) written by Paul and addresses the law within it and faith in Jesus Christ. I know some people are going to say, "he's speaking to the church of Galatia not us, context matters, blah blah." But Paul actually says in 3:22, "But the scripture hath concluded all under sin." So, he's addressing all of us today who have committed sin and don't lie, everyone has. If you say you haven't, you're a liar, according to the scripture. (1 John 1:8)
Galatians 3:22 KJV
"22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe."
In 2:14 Paul is speaking about the Jews that did not walk uprightly according to the truth of the Gospel, but he addressed it unto Peter in front of them all.
Galatians 2:14 KJV
But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
Paul continues speaking.
Galatians 2:16-21 KJV
16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. 17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. 18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. 20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
In Galatians 3:1-5 KJV Paul is then speaking to the Galatians as a whole,
1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? 2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain. 5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? (Speaking about Jesus)
Paul then begins speaking on Abraham and the curse in 3:6-14 KJV
6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. 7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. 9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. 10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. 11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. 12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. 13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Not one of us could continually keep ALL the laws today (there is 613 commands aka laws in the Old Testament, including the 10 commandments given to Moses), that's why it says those are cursed that don't keep them all in verse 10. Can't even miss one. So, Jesus Christ redeemed (set us free) from the law, only one perfect, being made a curse for us. Paying the debt for ALL sinners, making us a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Galatians 3:16-29 KJV
16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. 18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. 19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. 21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. 22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
We are NO LONGER under a schoolmaster aka the law.
Galatians 4:4-7 KJV
4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Paul speaks more of Abrahams promise and gives an allegory in 4:21-29 KJV
21 Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? 22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. 23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. 24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. 25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. 26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. 27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband. 28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. 29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. 30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. 31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.
Galatians 5:1-18 KJV
1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. 2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. 3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. 7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? 8 This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. 9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be. 11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased. 12 I would they were even cut off which trouble you. 13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. 16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
"If ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law." Are you following the law or the leading of the Holy Spirit? For it is written, you cannot do both.
Chapter 5 continues with the lusts of the flesh and the fruits of the spirit.
Galatians 5:19-21 KJV
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:22-26 KJV
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
Paul concludes in chapter 6; last chapter.
Galatians 6:2 KJV
2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:12-15 KJV
12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. 14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. 15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
In conclusion, I'm not sure how much clear Paul could have made it. True believers of faith live by the leading of the Holy Spirit, NOT THE LAW!
* (I thank you ABBA for the cross and everything Christ did for us. I'll worship your Holy name forever! In your word, it states you wish none should perish; I pray that this blog blesses those that need it, that it brings clarity and sets any free from religious bondage. In Jesus name, amen!) *
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