Freedom in Christ
1Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and don’t be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.+ 2Behold, I, Paul, tell you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will profit you nothing.+ 3Yes, I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.+ 4You are alienated from Christ, you who desire to be justified by the law. You have fallen away from grace.+ 5For we, through the Spirit, by faith wait for the hope of righteousness.+ 6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision amounts to anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith working through love.+ 7You were running well! Who interfered with you that you should not obey the truth?+ 8This persuasion is not from him who calls you.+ 9A little yeast grows through the whole lump.+ 10I have confidence toward you in the Lord that you will think no other way. But he who troubles you will bear his judgment, whoever he is.+ 11But I, brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been removed.+ 12I wish that those who disturb you would cut themselves off.+ 13For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don’t use your freedom for gain to the flesh, but through love be servants to one another.+ 14For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”+ 15But if you bite and devour one another, be careful that you don’t consume one another.+Walking by the Spirit
Ezekiel 36:16–38; Romans 8:9–11
16But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh.+ 17For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, that you may not do the things that you desire.+ 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.+ 19Now the deeds of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness,+ 20idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies,+ 21envy, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s Kingdom.+ 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,+ 23gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.+ 24Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.+ 25If we live by the Spirit, let’s also walk by the Spirit.+ 26Let’s not become conceited, provoking one another, and envying one another.+