20. The Practical Argument: The Effects of Liberty - 5:1-6:10
The Practical Argument: The Effects of Liberty - 5:1-6:10
We come now to the practical part of the epistle. Paul’s arguments can be divided into three main parts, the first series of arguments is based on the historical events as Paul had experienced them (chapters 1 and 2). The second part deals with the doctrinal arguments (mainly chapters 3 and 4) although the doctrinal part cannot be entirely limited to these, for in a sense the whole Epistle is doctrine. Now we come to the third part, the practical arguments, and this subdivision of the letter is perhaps the most powerful part.
It is very helpful to have a few key words. In verse 1 “Stand fast,”that is our position, then as believers we go on and we are “running”(v.7). This is a topic that Paul elaborates very much in the Scriptures. He compares himself - and Christians in general - with runners in a race. To run the race we need training and diligence. In Hebrews 12:1-29, for example, we are running in the race of faith, and we need to look steadfastly on the Author and Finisher of the race of faith. Also Paul said that the Galatians had run well. Further in Galatians 5:1-26, the other key word is in verse 16, “Walk in the Spirit.”This is the Christian walk. There is not a contradiction between these terms, rather they highlight certain truths, the position in which to stand firm, to go on running the Christian race, and the Christian experience to walk, which implies behaviour, attitudes, practice. Then the fourth key word we find in verse 25, “Let us walk by the Spirit.”There the word “walk”is a different word in the Greek text. It means “to walk in order”so that we are not out of step. In verse 16 it means the Christian walk, the Christian practice, which includes our daily lives in which He wants us to be overcomers, but when it comes to verse 25 the emphasis is walking in order. It is more like a military term so that we do not walk out of step, causing others to trip over us. In chapter 6 we will see seven points about walking in order. So: we stand, we run, we walk and we walk in order. These are the four key words that I just wanted to highlight.