"Through the Spirit..."
Text: Galatians 5:5
NO HOPE
What hope could the Judaizers hope to give to their followers? They would never be able to offer any glimmer of hope if they offered a gospel that focused on keeping the whole law! No one is able to keep the whole law! Thus there is no hope of obtaining justification through attempting to keep the law.
A GLORIOUS HOPE
The apostle Paul offered a tremendously glorious hope in the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the
hope of righteousness by faith. For in Christ Jesus
neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything,
but faith working through love.
Galatians 5:5-6
1. “We through the Spirit”
a) All believers in Christ have been given the Spirit of God.
i) As a seal
ii) As a guarantee
b) Through the Spirit of God.
i) There is an eagerness created in the heart.
ii) There is a special sense of hope in the heart.
iii) There is the hope of righteousness by faith.
iv) Righteousness is imputed by God to those who are justified by faith in Jesus.
2. “For in Christ Jesus”
a) Circumcision brings no additional profit.
b) Uncircumcision is no loss.
c) Neither of the above avails anything.
3. “But faith working through love”
a) Faith in Christ is the key word.
b) But this is not passive faith.
c) True faith results in good works.
d) With true faith a heart of love begins to form.
e) Faith and love work together to produce good works.
f) Good works will not merit salvation. Good works would result from true salvation obtained.