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Walk by the Spirit

^1 (C1)It was for this freedom that Christ set us free completely liberating us; therefore ^(C2)keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a ^(C3)yoke of slavery which you once removed.

² Notice, it is I, ^(C1)Paul, who tells you that if you receive ^(C2)circumcision as a supposed requirement of salvation, Christ will be of no benefit to you for you will lack the faith in Christ that is necessary for salvation.^3 (C1)Once more I solemnly affirm to every man who receives ^(C2)circumcision as a supposed requirement of salvation, that he is under obligation and required to ^(C3)keep the whole Law.⁴ You have been severed from Christ, if you seek to be ^(F1)justified that is, declared free of the guilt of sin and its penalty, and placed in right standing with God through the Law; you have ^(C1)fallen from grace for you have lost your grasp on God's unmerited favor and blessing.⁵ For we not relying on the Law but through the strength and power of the Holy Spirit, by faith, are ^(C1)waiting confidently for the hope of righteousness the completion of our salvation.⁶ For if we are in ^(C1)Christ Jesus ^(C2)neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but only ^(C3)faith activated and expressed and working through love.

⁷ You were ^(C1)running the race well; who has interfered and prevented you from obeying the truth?⁸ This deceptive persuasion is not from ^(C1)Him who called you to freedom in Christ.^9 (C1)A little ^(F1)leaven a slight inclination to error, or a few false teachers leavens the whole batch it perverts the concept of faith and misleads the church.^10 (C1)I have confidence in you in the Lord that you ^(C2)will adopt no other view contrary to mine on the matter; but the one who is ^(C3)disturbing you, whoever he is, will have to bear the penalty.¹¹ But as for me, ^(F1)brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision as I had done before I met Christ; and as ^(F2)some accuse me of doing now, as necessary for salvation, why am I still being ^(C1)persecuted by Jews? In that case ^(C2)the stumbling block of the cross to unbelieving Jews has been abolished.¹² I wish that ^(C1)those who are troubling you by teaching that circumcision is necessary for salvation would even go all the way and ^(C2)castrate themselves!

¹³ For you, my brothers, were called to ^(C1)freedom; ^(C2)only do not let your freedom become an opportunity for the ^(F1)sinful nature (worldliness, selfishness), but through ^(F2)love ^(C3)serve and seek the best for one another.¹⁴ For ^(C1)the whole Law concerning human relationships is fulfilled in one precept, "^(C2)YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF that is, you shall have an unselfish concern for others and do things for their benefit." ^(VR1)15 But if you ^(C1)bite and devour one another in bickering and strife, watch out that you along with your entire fellowship are not consumed by one another.

¹⁶ But I say, ^(C1)walk habitually in the Holy Spirit seek Him and be responsive to His guidance, and then you will certainly not carry out ^(C2)the desire of the ^(F1)sinful nature which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts.¹⁷ For ^(C1)the sinful nature has its desire which is opposed to the Spirit, and the desire of the Spirit opposes the ^(F1)sinful nature; for these two, the sinful nature and the Spirit are in direct opposition to each other continually in conflict, ^(C2)so that you as believers do not always do whatever good things you want to do.¹⁸ But if you are ^(C1)guided and led by the Spirit, ^(C2)you are not subject to the Law.¹⁹ Now the practices of the ^(F1)sinful nature are clearly evident: they are ^(C1)sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control),^20 (F1)idolatry, ^(F2)(C1)sorcery, hostility, ^(C2)strife, jealousy, fits of anger, ^(C3)disputes, dissensions, ^(C4)factions that promote heresies,²¹ envy, ^(C1)drunkenness, riotous behavior, and other things like these. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will not ^(C2)inherit the kingdom of God.²² But ^(C1)the fruit of the Spirit the result of His presence within us is ^(C2)love unselfish concern for others, joy, inner peace, patience not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,²³ gentleness, ^(C1)self-control. Against such things ^(C2)there is no law.²⁴ And those who belong to ^(C1)Christ Jesus have ^(C2)crucified the ^(F1)sinful nature together with its passions and ^(C3)appetites.

²⁵ If we claim to live by the Holy Spirit, we must also walk ^(C1)by the Spirit with personal integrity, godly character, and moral courage—our conduct empowered by the Holy Spirit.²⁶ We must not become ^(C1)conceited, challenging or provoking one another, envying one another.