No Other Gospel Week 12

5-Day Devotional on Galatians 5:25–6:5

Day 1: Living by the Spirit

Summary:
Paul urges believers to live by the Spirit rather than the flesh. This means allowing the Spirit to guide our actions, attitudes, and relationships, helping us resist pride and envy that disrupt fellowship.

Read:

• Galatians 5:25-26
• Romans 8:5-6
• John 15:4-5

Background:
In Galatians 5, Paul describes the conflict between the flesh and the Spirit. He contrasts the “fruit of the Spirit” with the works of the flesh, urging believers to keep in step with the Spirit. Living by the Spirit allows us to walk humbly and love one another without comparison or rivalry.

Key Words:

• Spirit: The Holy Spirit, who empowers and directs believers in their walk with God.
• Conceited: Self-centered and overly focused on one’s own image and achievements.
• Unity: Harmony and humility in relationships, which are preserved when we walk in the Spirit.

Theological Truths:
John Owen observed, “The Spirit alone can mortify sin; He alone can bring about the transformation of the heart.”

Questions for Reflection:

1. What does it mean for you to “keep in step” with the Spirit daily?

2. How do pride and envy affect your relationships?

3. How can you rely on the Spirit to replace pride and rivalry with love and humility?

Application:
Today, ask the Holy Spirit to help you walk in humility. Identify one relationship where you can practice love and unity over pride or comparison.

Day 2: Bearing Each Other’s Burdens

Summary:
Paul calls believers to bear one another’s burdens, fulfilling the law of Christ. Helping others in their struggles reflects the love of Jesus, who bore our ultimate burden of sin.

Read:

• Galatians 6:1-2
• Romans 15:1-2
• James 5:16

Background:
The Judaizers were burdening the Galatians with legalistic demands, but Paul calls them to a different kind of burden-bearing. Instead of imposing rules, they are to help each other spiritually and emotionally. Bearing burdens includes helping others in times of weakness or failure, with humility and gentleness.

Key Words:

• Restore: To bring back to a healthy state, as setting a broken bone.
• Gentleness: Humility and kindness in our interactions, especially when addressing others’ faults.
• Law of Christ: The command to love one another as Jesus loves us.

Theological Truths:
Timothy Keller says, “The law of Christ is fulfilled by a life that mirrors His own self-sacrifice, humility, and love.”

Questions for Reflection:

1. How can you come alongside someone who is struggling without judgment?

2. What does it look like to restore someone “gently” rather than with harsh criticism?

3. How does bearing each other’s burdens help you grow in love and humility?

Application:
Identify one person who may be carrying a heavy burden. Reach out to them today with encouragement, support, or an offer to help.

Day 3: Examining Ourselves

Summary:
Paul reminds believers to be mindful of their own actions, encouraging self-examination rather than comparison with others. This practice keeps us humble and prevents pride or jealousy.

Read:

• Galatians 6:3-4
• Matthew 7:3-5
• 2 Corinthians 13:5

Background:
While believers are called to help each other, Paul warns against pride and self-deception. He urges the Galatians to examine their own work without comparing themselves to others, as each person will bear their own load before God.

Key Words:

• Self-deception: Believing oneself to be better or more righteous than is true.
• Examine: To assess one’s actions and motives with honesty and humility.
• Accountability: Responsibility for one’s own spiritual growth and conduct.

Theological Truths:
Charles Spurgeon said, “It is a wise man who prays that he may know himself. We are usually blind to our own failings and faults.”

Questions for Reflection:

1. How does comparing yourself to others lead to pride or insecurity?

2. Why is self-examination important in your walk with God?

3. In what areas do you need God’s help to see yourself more clearly?

Application:
Take a few minutes today to pray for insight and honesty as you examine your motives and actions. Ask God to reveal areas where you need growth.

Day 4: Humility and Personal Responsibility

Summary:
Paul teaches that while we support each other, each person also has their own “load” or personal responsibility before God. This balance helps us to serve without losing our sense of individual accountability.

Read:

• Galatians 6:5
• Romans 14:12
• Philippians 2:12-13

Background:
The distinction between “burdens” and “loads” is important. While burdens are overwhelming struggles that require communal support, each believer is also responsible for their personal walk with God. Humility in service involves balancing support for others with our own spiritual growth.

Key Words:

• Load: Personal responsibilities each believer carries in their relationship with God.
• Accountability: Taking ownership of one’s actions and growth.
• Humility: Recognizing our need for both community support and personal accountability.

Theological Truths:
John Calvin commented, “The cross we must carry is never so heavy as the grace that bears it.”

Questions for Reflection:

1. How can you discern the difference between burdens (needing support) and personal responsibilities (individual growth)?

2. How does personal accountability before God impact the way you serve others?

3. In what ways can you maintain humility as you balance your own growth with helping others?

Application:
Reflect on your personal responsibilities in your walk with God. Commit to one action today that will strengthen your relationship with Him.

Day 5: The Power of Gospel-Driven Relationships

Summary:
Gospel-driven relationships are marked by grace, humility, and mutual support. Paul shows that the gospel’s transforming power enables believers to love and serve each other genuinely, free from pride or insecurity.

Read:

• Galatians 5:25-26, 6:1-5 (full passage)
• John 13:34-35
• Philippians 2:3-4

Background:
Paul’s message centers on how the gospel changes relationships. When believers understand their identity in Christ, they are freed from needing to compete or prove themselves, allowing them to truly love and support one another.

Key Words:

• Gospel-driven relationships: Interactions rooted in the love, grace, and humility of the gospel.
• Unity: Harmony among believers that reflects Christ’s love.
• Servanthood: A heart of selflessness and willingness to bear others’ burdens.

Theological Truths:
Dietrich Bonhoeffer stated, “The church is not a religious community of worshipers of Christ but is Christ Himself who has taken form among people.”

Questions for Reflection:

1. How does the gospel change the way you view others in the church?

2. In what ways does humility allow for deeper relationships in your faith community?

3. How can you cultivate gospel-driven relationships that reflect Christ’s love?

Application:
Today, reach out to someone in your church or community to encourage or support them. Reflect on how your interactions can be shaped by the humility and grace of the gospel.