A Summary of Galatians 5

by John Davis

Galatians 5 offers us three different, but interrelated ways to think about how to live the Christian life.

• Guard your freedom in Christ. 1-12
• Serve one another in Love. 13-15
• Walk in the Spirit. 16-26

• The first speaks of our spiritual reality — knowing that God accepts us completely in Christ.
• The second speaks of our spiritual responsibility — to serve one another in love.
• The third speaks of our spiritual resource – we live the Christian life through the Spirit who lives within us.

These three exist in unity, they never exist alone.

• If you are enjoying your freedom in Christ, you are serving others in love by the power of the Spirit.
• If you are serving others in love, you are doing it out of your freedom in Christ and through the power of the Spirit.
• If you are walking in the Spirit, you are enjoying your freedom in Christ and serving others in love.

This is the Christian life:

• The reality – you are free in Christ. Guard it.
• The responsibility – serve others in love
• The resource – walk in the Spirit.

This is your calling; this is your privilege; this is your joy!

John Davis

On September 10, 1970 I came to understand the great love of God for me, a sinner and a rebel. That evening I received God’s forgiveness and a new life through Jesus Christ, who died in my place and rose again to offer forgiveness and new life. I have been senior pastor for over 30 years planting two churches in Buckingham, PA and Queens, NY and serving two other churches in Brooklyn, NY and Roslyn, PA. I am currently the lead pastor at Grace Church of Philly.