Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Galatians 5:13-15

John Piper helped me see the logic of Galatians 5:13-15:

Paul's main statement is, "For you were called to freedom, brothers."
God has called us to freedom (5:13) and Christ has purchased our freedom (5:1).

Then, Paul gives 2 commands based on the reality of our freedom:
Negative command: Do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh.
Positive command: Through love serve one another.

Then, Paul gives 2 incentives (supports) for the commands:
Positive incentive: The whole Law is fulfilled in loving each other as we love ourselves (5:14).
Negative incentive: If we don't love, we will destroy each other (5:15).

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