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Christ Set Us Free

^1 (F1)(C1)It was for freedom that Christ set us free. Therefore, ^(C2)stand firm and do not be subject again to a ^(C3)yoke of slavery.

² Behold I, ^(C1)Paul, say to you that if you receive ^(C2)circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you.³ And I ^(C1)testify again to every man who receives ^(C2)circumcision, that he is under obligation to ^(C3)keep the whole Law.⁴ You have been ^(F1)severed from Christ, you who are being justified by law; you have ^(C1)fallen from grace!⁵ For we ^(F1)through the Spirit, ^(F2)by faith, are ^(C1)eagerly waiting for the hope of righteousness.⁶ For in ^(C1)Christ Jesus ^(C2)neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but ^(C3)faith working through love.

⁷ You were ^(C1)running well; who hindered you from ^(F1)obeying the truth?⁸ This persuasion is not from ^(C1)Him who calls you.^9 (C1)A little leaven leavens the whole lump.^10 (C1)I have confidence ^(F1)in you in the Lord that you ^(C2)will adopt no other view. But the one who is ^(C3)disturbing you will bear his judgment, whoever he is.¹¹ But I, brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still ^(C1)persecuted? Then ^(C2)the stumbling block of the cross would have been abolished.¹² I wish that ^(C1)those who are upsetting you would even ^(F1)(C2)mutilate themselves.

¹³ For you were called to ^(C1)freedom, brothers; ^(C2)only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love ^(C3)serve one another.¹⁴ For ^(C1)the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in this: "^(C2)YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."¹⁵ But if you ^(C1)bite and devour one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another.

Walk by the Spirit

¹⁶ But I say, ^(C1)walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out ^(C2)the desire of the flesh.¹⁷ For ^(C1)the flesh ^(F1)sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, ^(C2)so that you do not do the things that you want.¹⁸ But if you are ^(C1)led by the Spirit, ^(C2)you are not under the Law.¹⁹ Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: ^(C1)sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,²⁰ idolatry, ^(C1)sorcery, enmities, ^(C2)strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, ^(C3)selfish ambition, dissensions, ^(F1)(C4)factions,²¹ envying, ^(C1)drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not ^(C2)inherit the kingdom of God.²² But ^(C1)the fruit of the Spirit is ^(C2)love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,²³ gentleness, ^(C1)self-control. Against such things ^(C2)there is no law.²⁴ Now those who ^(F1)belong to ^(C1)Christ Jesus ^(C2)crucified the flesh with its passions and ^(C3)desires.

²⁵ If we live by the Spirit, let us also ^(F1)walk in step with ^(C1)the Spirit.²⁶ Let us not become those with ^(C1)vain glory, challenging one another, envying one another.