Getting into the Right “Gear.” “Forward” with the Spirit, or in “Reverse” with the Flesh and the Law.

“For through the Law I died to the Law, that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me. I do not nullify the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.” Galatians 2:19-21).

You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. Galatians 5:4

Many Christians adopt a pattern of life that places them under law. Not just the 10 Commandments, but also all the peripheral laws that men have made. We try to gain self-worth before God by adapting laws regarding attendance, lent keeping, baptism, and clothing—to mention a few. I am indebted to the writings of Ray Stedman, who points out the key pattern of those who would place themselves under law. It is “Sincerity (that is faith) plus activity equals life as God intended it to be.” This could not be more incorrect. We know that the book of Romans teaches us how to be saved; how to find justification by faith in Jesus. But the book of Galatians places more emphasis on “How shall we live, and how shall we be delivered from this present, evil age?” There it is made clear about the destructive path of legalism.

The legalist has reversed the intended order. He has placed himself on a path that will lead to more sin, not less. The proper pattern is “Life plus faith equals activity.” This is the life of faith in Christ—it is the exact opposite of the path chosen by the legalist. After receiving the gift of a new life in Christ we are to place our faith in what He has done. Out of the obedience of faith will come the activity; that is, the works of Christ through us. To do otherwise is to fall from grace.

Paul Describes the Problem. In his Epistle to the Galatians, Paul has some harsh words for those who would place themselves under law. He says:
They are following a different, distorted gospel (1:6,7).
The authors of this false gospel should be accursed (1:8,9).
It is a gospel that is according to man (1:11,12).
It is a gospel that destroys our liberty and brings us into bondage (2:4).
It leads to hypocrisy (2:11-14).
The Galatians are foolish for following this teaching (3:1-3).
The followers of the works of the Law are under a curse (3:10).
No one can be justified by the Law—it is not of faith (3:11-13).
When we choose law we are choosing the life of Hagar—a life of slavery (4:21-31).
Choosing Law as a means of life is the same as choosing a fleshly life—in opposition to the Spirit (5:1-17).

The Positive Aspects of Living in the Spirit. In total contrast to the works of the Law, Paul reveals the positive aspects of a life in the Spirit. He says:
Those who are of faith are sons of Abraham (3:5-7).
The righteous man shall live by faith (3:11).
Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the Law (3:13).
We become children of promise, like Isaac (4:28).
When we walk by the Spirit we will not carry out the desires of the flesh (5:16).

What is the Purpose of the Law? We need to be familiar with the purpose of the Law. The Law is perfect and holy, but it gives no power for humans to live up to it. (Romans 7:12-14). It can and does, however, accomplish the following:
It reveals to us the knowledge of our sin (Romans 3:20).
It was added 430 years after Abraham became righteous by faith—it revealed the wrath of God against sin (Romans 4:1-15).
It makes us sin MORE (Romans 5:20).
It has no right to control us when we are “dead.” (Romans 6:3-11).
It stirs up lust (Romans 7:7-11).
The Law works through the flesh, where it is weak (Romans 8:1-9).
The Law serves its purpose when it drives us to Christ (Galatians 3:24).

Living Under Law is the Same as Living Under the Flesh! This may appear to be a rash statement, but it is supported by Scripture. In Galatians, chapter 5, verses 1-12, Paul explains that those under Law have found a life of slavery. If we choose Law we must live up to the whole Law—an impossible task. Then, with no transition, Paul begins in verse 13 to describe that a fleshly life also destroys our freedom. The flesh is waging a war against the Spirit (Galatians 5:16,17). He then goes on to explain the deeds of the flesh—immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, …etc. Has Paul equated life under Law with life under the flesh? I believe so. Moving back to Galatians 3:3 we quote Paul saying, “Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” (Italics mine). Coupled with the fact that the Law works through the flesh (Romans 8:3), we see that Paul is really saying that the fleshly life and the legalistic life are one and the same.

Where Did the “Reversal” Start? We have seen that the legalist has reversed the proper order for works. He would place his choice of works first, then look for assurance of God’s approval—which would never come. The one who lives a life in the Spirit has the proper order—he would realize his position in Christ, his total acceptance as a new creation, and then seek the guidance of the Spirit into the works of God. The former starts with his own, fleshly work and fails. The latter fulfills the proper works out of his faith in Christ and then gives all praise to God.

We need only to look into the events of the Garden of Eden to see the origin of this reversal. In Genesis 3:5,6 we read this conversation between Satan and Eve:
“For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.

Prior to this there is no mention of Adam attempting to gain wisdom. He had been content to walk with God in the garden and fulfill God’s wishes for naming the animals. Now, with the enticement of Satan, the mindset is reversed. Adam and Even have interest in becoming like God, and the thought of wisdom being conveyed to them sounded like the proper goal. Satan has succeeded in reversing God’s order. God had in mind that Adam could choose from the tree of life—note the starting point, life. Out of that life would follow all the works of God through Adam. But now, Satan had devised this reversal-—Adam would first think of himself and what was to be gained for HIMSELF. Previously Adam did not know anything about guilt—which was to come from the tree of knowledge. Satan was delighted, probably dancing his jig, by this dominance over Adam. This Fall of Adam is the direct root of the reversal in God’s plan for life. Satan thought he had achieved a guaranteed failure of man. He was not prepared for the triumph of Christ at the cross. The Christ life, made available to all that would believe, would show the proper order, the right choice of life, and the path to the works of God.

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