Galatians 5:1-12: The True Freedom Found in Christ

In this passage, the apostle Paul passionately addresses the Galatians who were being tempted to turn away from the freedom they found in Jesus and return to following rules and regulations to earn their salvation.

What’s the big deal?

The Galatians were being influenced by people who insisted they needed to be circumcised, a Jewish ritual, to be fully accepted by God. Paul saw this as a serious threat to the core message of the Gospel – that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus, not by our own efforts.

Key Points for Young People

• True freedom: The freedom Jesus offers isn’t about doing whatever we want, but about being free from the burden of trying to earn God’s love and approval. It’s about living a life transformed by the Holy Spirit.
• Don’t be fooled: Paul warns the Galatians, and us, not to be swayed by false teachings. It’s easy to get caught up in what others say or do, but we need to stay focused on the truth of the Gospel.
• Stand firm: Paul urges the Galatians to stand firm in the freedom they have in Christ. This means holding on to the truth of the Gospel and not letting anyone or anything take that away from us.
• Love one another: Even though Paul is strong in his words, he reminds the Galatians of the importance of love. Our faith isn’t just about rules; it’s about loving God and loving others.

Study Questions

1. What does Paul mean when he says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free”? (v. 1)
2. Why was Paul so concerned about the Galatians being circumcised? What was the underlying issue?
3. What are some ways that we can be tempted to try to earn God’s favour today?
4. What does it mean to “stand firm” in our faith? How can we do that in a world that often challenges our beliefs?
5. How can we show love to others, even those who might disagree with us about our faith?

Challenge

Take some time this week to reflect on your own understanding of freedom in Christ. Are there areas in your life where you feel burdened by trying to earn God’s approval? How can you embrace the true freedom that Jesus offers and live a life transformed by the Holy Spirit?