This morning I invite you to open your Bibles to the text of Galatians.

The fifth chapter will be reading verses 1 through 6 and also 13 through 18.

It was for freedom that Christ set us free.

Therefore, keep standing firm and do not be subject again to the yoke of slavery.

Behold, I Paul say to you that you received circumcision,

Christ will be no benefit to you.

And I testify again every man who receives circumcision that he is under obligation

to keep the whole law. You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law.

You have fallen from grace.

For we, through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness.

For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything,

but faith working through love.

For you were called to freedom, brethren.

Only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh,

but through love serve one another.

For the whole law is fulfilled in one word in the statement you shall love your neighbor

as yourself. But if you bite and devour one another, your the spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh.

For the flesh sets its desires against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh.

For these are in opposition to one another so that you may not do the things that you please.

But if you are led by the Spirit that you would help me to speak the truth and to speak the truth and to speak it in a demeanor that is fitting the nature of the

truth and its weight.

And I pray for an appropriate listening

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