Keep in Step with the Spirit

Part 2

Text: Galatians 5:25-6:10

Introduction/Review:

“There will always be many persons daring enough to make a false boast of living in the Spirit, but the apostle challenges them to a proof of the fact” (John Calvin, Calvin’s Commentaries, vol. 21, p. 169).

Lesson:

I. Paul exhorts believers to keep in step with the Spirit in order to restore sinning believers (5:26-6:5).

  A. Restoration is not to be carried out in a spirit of pride. 5:26

When I survey the wondrous cross

On which the Prince of Glory died,

My richest gain I count but loss

And pour contempt on all my pride. (Issac Watts) 

B. Restoration is to be carried out in a spirit of gentleness. 6:1

“It is easy for certain types of religious people to sit in judgment on one who has suddenly yielded to some moral temptation, to make their disapproval manifest, but this is not the way of Christ” (F.F. Bruce, Galatians, p. 260).

Reflection:

The main scope of the Gospel is, to exclude all self-confidence, and stain the pride of man, to bring in self-denial, and exalt the glory of Christ; to extol His righteousness, by which He has magnified the law, and made it honourable; to exhibit such a way of salvation to sinners, as shall most advance the honour of all the divine perfections which shine most brightly in the face and person of Jesus Christ; and to bring men to such a true and lively faith of the free grace and mercy of God in Christ, as will be the only solid root and spring of true peace, heart-holiness, and practical godliness… (Ralph Erskine, quoted in Gospel Truth, John Brown of Whitburn, pp. 77-78).

© John Fonville

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