Presented to Swift Current Corps of The Salvation Army, 04
August 2013 and 29 June 2025 to Alberni Valley Ministries by Major Michael
Ramsay
This
is the 2025 version. To read the 2013 version, click here:
https://sheepspeaks.blogspot.com/2013/08/galatians-513-610-test-of-faith.html
A
version of this sermon appears in Issue 88 of the Journal of Aggressive
Christianity: http://armybarmy.com/JAC/article4-88.html
This
week is Canada Day; so as is common on Canada Day, I though we would have a
little quiz. Please number your pages from 1 to 10 and let’s see how we do.
Each answer will be the name of a different province. Pens ready…name that
province associated with these items (answers below)[1]:
1.
Anne of Green Gables
2.
Blue Nose
3.
Oil / Texas north
4.
Wheat / Watch your dog run away for 3 days
5.
Mosquitoes / Lois Riel
6.
Mountains / Lumber Jacks / Canucks and Lions
7.
The Rock / The Salvation Army
8.
The centre of the universe / Capital
9.
To separate or not to separate / Maple Syrup
10.
Bi-lingual Herring-choker
We
have been looking at the fruits of the spirt and the fruit of the flesh for the
past three weeks. After studying something for so long I figured it is time for
a test. Paul says that you can either serve the Spirit or you can serve
yourself, which he refers to as 'the flesh'.[2] Paul says “the acts of the
flesh are obvious” so then let’s take this test and see whether we have in us
the acts of the Spirit or the acts of our self, the flesh. This is a self-test.
This isn’t a test for you to do for someone else. And another important thing
about this test is that if you don’t score as well as you like, it is easy to
do your corrections for homework.
Today
we are all invited to take the test; so, let us begin.
Test
of Faith/Flesh
1. Do you ever fall
victim to ‘sexual immorality’ (adultery / fornication)?
The
word translated sexual immorality in our Sanctuary Bibles (NIV) is sometimes
more accurately translated as ‘adultery’ (Strong’s 3430). Deuteronomy 5:18
(Exodus 20:14) records, ‘You shall not commit adultery’. Jesus says, Matthew
5:27-28: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But
I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman [person] lustfully has already
committed adultery with her in his heart.” Have we ever committed adultery in
our hearts?
2. Do we ever fall prey
to impurity (uncleanness) or debauchery (lasciviousness / fornication)?
Impurity refers vaguely enough to ceremonial
uncleanness (Strong’s 167). And debauchery, variously translated
‘lasciviousness’ or ‘fornication’ (Strong’s 766), can apparently by extension
mean any lustful longing or greed.[3] Do we ever display any lustful longing or
greed? Do we ever wish we had our neighbour’s truck? Do we ever lament that we
don’t have a job as cushy or with as big a paycheque or with as many holidays
as someone else’s? A big part of the advertising that helps prop up our whole
economic system in this country is the desire to have what someone else has? Do
we ever need to ‘keep up to the Joneses?’ Do we ever fall prey to that
temptation? Do we ever covet someone else’s life or someone else’s possessions?
Do we ever fall prey to impurity and debauchery?
3. Do
we ever fall into the traps of idolatry and witchcraft?
There
seem to be a few witch stores, fairs and activities in Port Alberni. I don’t
know much about them. I don’t know about
the occult here either but I don’t imagine that anyone here is tempted by that
but that is not all that is referred to by idolatry and witchcraft. Also included in idolatry and witchcraft are
horoscopes, fortune cookies, tarot cards, tea reading, a lot of yoga, spiritual
readings, spirit guides, a lucky horseshoe or a lucky rabbit’s foot – and
idolatry also includes anyone or thing that you turn to instead of God in a
crisis; so I ask us, do we ever fall into the traps of idolatry and witchcraft?
4. Are
we ever caught up in hatred, discord, or jealousy?
We
have already spoken about coveting our neighbour’s truck or other belongings.
Do we ever get to the point where we hate someone? Do we ever say, ‘if
so-and-so is going to be involved with that then I won’t come’? Do we ever
threaten, ‘well if you want me to help with that, then so-and-so better not be
there! This is hatred or, at the very least, this is discord.
Do we
ever gossip? Do we ever repeat things that we have no business repeating that
we hear other people say? I have heard people do that and that causes so much
discord.
Some
people even hate people they have never met: Trump? Putin? Iran? Politician or
country xyz? Hatred, discord and jealousy are very serious indeed. Matthew
5:21-22 records Jesus as saying, “You have heard that it was said to the people
long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to
judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister
will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister,
‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in
danger of the fire of hell.” Are we ever caught up in hatred, discord,
jealousy?
5. Are
we ever overtaken with fits of rage?
Do we
ever get to the point where we are so mad that – as they say – ‘we can spit’?
Do we ever get so mad that we punch a wall or swear at someone? Do we ever get
so worked up that we yell at someone, scream, cry? Do we ever hear others -when
they see us coming- cautiously ask people around what our mood is like? Do
people ever ‘walk on eggshells’ around us? Are we ever overtaken with fits of
rage?
6. Are we ever subject
to our own selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy?
We
have already spoken about covetness, jealousy, and envy; we have already spoken
about dissentions and factions as they relate to discord. Do we ever try to get
people on ‘our side’? Do we ever play politics? Do we ever try to whip up
support for ourselves or our position at the expense of others? Do we ever talk
to others about so-and-so and such-and-such instead of approaching the matter
head-on? If so, we are guilty of dissentions and factions. And much of this –
if not all – can be seen as a result of selfish ambition. If we don’t have the
need to be right all the time, if we don’t have the need to be thanked every
time we do something, if we don’t need for people to appreciate what we do for
them, then why would we fall prey to envy and the like? We probably wouldn’t.
So, are we ever subject to our own selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and
envy?
7. And the last
question: Do we engage in drunkenness, orgies, and the like?
Do we
spend our nights – or days for that matter – drunk, or involved in chaotic
parties? I think this also applies to drugs as well as alcohol. I would say as
well that if you feel the same way about a piece of cake or a can of pop that
an alcoholic feels about her addiction; if you immediately, when someone leaves
the house, run and grab the chocolate chips that you have squirreled away; or
if you are incapacitated -not from a hangover- but maybe from a caffeine headache
or because you were up all night playing video games, I think the same
sentiment probably applies. So do we engage in drunkenness, orgies, and the
like?
That
concludes the test. Now let's check our tests. The correct answers are:
1. Do you ever fall victim to ‘sexual
immorality’? No.
2. Do
we ever fall prey to impurity or debauchery? No.
3. Do
we ever fall into the traps of idolatry and witchcraft? No.
4. Are
we ever caught up in hatred, discord, or jealousy? No.
5. Are
we ever overtaken with fits of rage? No.
6. Are
we ever subject to our own selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy?
No.
7. Do we engage in drunkenness, orgies, and the
like? No.
I
won’t have any of us to share how we did. I imagine that everyone aced the
test. Now, just in case we didn’t. On the off chance that we didn’t pass this
test, the Apostle Paul says, Galatians 5:21, “I warn you, as I did before, that
[those who do not pass this test] those who live like this will not inherit the
kingdom of God.” Now I know this probably doesn’t apply to any of us but as you
can tell this is still serious stuff.
Let us
think about this for a moment because I know that we all have been faithfully reading
our Bibles and we know that Paul can get quite upset with people’s suggestion
that new Christians become Jewish Christians and follow elements of the Jewish
Law.[4] Paul says that the Kingdom of Heaven isn’t like that and he says that
we are under a curse if we place ourselves under the Law (Galatians 3:10) but
by adding a list such as this, is that not exactly what Paul is doing… saying
that unless you avoid all of these things you will not enter the Kingdom of
God? What is the difference between Paul’s list and the Old lists?
Professor
Frank J. Matera: “Paul's answer is simple and direct. Those who are no longer
under the law are led by the Spirit which [itself] produces its fruit in their
lives (5:22) so that their faith expresses itself in love (5:6). Consequently,
even though believers are no longer under the law, they fulfill the law through
the love commandment (5:14). This vision of the moral life, as life under the
guidance of the Spirit, is probably the most optimistic statement of Paul's
ethical teaching…”[5]
“…The
fruit of the Spirit [Paul says, Galatians 5:22-24] is love, joy, peace,
forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and
self-control. Against such things there
is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its
passions and desires.”
Biblical
Scholar, Richard B. Hays declares that “in the summarizing sentences of this
unit, Paul returns explicitly to the problem raised in vv.13 and 16, ‘Those who
belong to Christ’ (cf. 3:29) will not, despite the Missionaries warnings, be
overwhelmed by the impulses of the flesh, because they have ‘crucified the
flesh with its passions and desires.’”[6] James Montgomery Boice explains that
‘Christians are delivered through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit
from the necessity of serving sin in their lives.”[7]
Paul
says that those of us who do actually belong to Christ Jesus have already
crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. We don’t need to go to a
12-step program to rid ourselves of these vices; Christ has already crucified
them. Simply by our turning to Jesus, the Holy Spirit will replace the fruit of
the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit. Like it says in 1 Thessalonians, when
we have Christ, he will make us holy (1 Thessalonians 5:22-23). We are now free
to not sin.[8]
So
then as that is the case one might ask, ‘why do I sometimes give into those
vices mentioned on the test instead of or as well as experiencing the blessings
of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, forbearance [perseverance], kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, and things such as these?
Why, one might ask, according to this text and this test, do I have the fruit of
the flesh as well as or instead of or as well as the fruit of the Spirit? Am I
really in danger of not entering the Kingdom?
Galatians
5:14 “…the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your
neighbor as yourself.” I can’t tell you or anyone else whether your name
is written in the book of life. I can tell you that the kingdom of God is now as
well as forever and the fruit of the spirit is some of the benefits available to
us who belong to the kingdom, if we want them. I don’t have the ability to
judge your salvation (Matthew 7:1, Luke 6:37). That being said, if you see some
areas where I need to be encouraged to grow in holiness – these lists may be a
good guide in that matter - you certainly do have a responsibility to let me
know about that and to help me through it; Galatians 6:1-2: “Brothers and
sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should
restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be
tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this
way you will fulfill the law of Christ. ”
Also
importantly, if we are struggling, we may wish to come to the Lord in prayer
both now and often – he can help us. We may wish to spend more time with Jesus:
we may wish to pray and read our Bible even more – and ask Jesus to help us do
that; we may wish to show our love to Jesus simply by looking to spend time
with him. Jesus promises that if we seek
Him we will find Him (Matthew 7:7-12; cf. Deuteronomy 4:29, Proverbs 8:17,
Jeremiah 29:13); and Jesus promises that as we find Him we will be holy as He
is holy (1 Peter 1:3-25 cf. also Leviticus 11:44-45, 19:2, 20:5-7; Psalm 89:35;
Matthew 5:48; 2 Corinthians 13; Colossians 1:28; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24,
Hebrews 11-12); and Jesus promises that once we find him -no matter what - He
will never leave nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5; cf. Deuteronomy 31:6, Joshua
1:5), and we are promised then that we will experience love, joy, peace,
forbearance [perseverance], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,
self-control, and things such as these. As we seek God, He promises that we
will find him. No matter how we scored on our tests today, let us take comfort
in that and no matter how we scored on our tests today, let us commit to spend
even more time getting to know our Lord and Saviour. Who will never leave us
nor forsake us and who will continue to transform us into His likeness.
Let us
pray: this prayer for us from 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, ‘May God himself, the
God of peace, sanctify you (us) through and through. May your (our) whole
spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The one who calls you (us) is faithful and He will do it.’
---
[1]
PEI, 2. Nova Scotia, 3. Alberta, 4. Saskatchewan, 5. Manitoba, 6. BC, 7. Nfld.,
8. Ontario, 9. Quebec, 10. New Brunswick
[2]
Cf. R. Alan Cole,: Galatians: An Introduction and Commentary. Downers Grove, IL
: InterVarsity Press, 1989 (Tyndale New Testament Commentaries 9), S. 211
[3]
Marvin R. Vincent, “Of uncleanness” in Vincent’s Word Studies in the New
Testament, Vol. 4, (Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, 2009), 22.
[4]
Cf. Captain Michael Ramsay, Galatians 4:8-11: Vs. Old Jewish Law, (Swift
Current, SK: Sheepspeak.com, 28 July 2013),
http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.ca/2013/07/galatians-3-4-vs-old-jewish-law.html
[5]
Frank J. Matera, “Galatians in Perspective: Cutting a New Path through Old
Territory”, Interpretation, (July 2000), 244
[6]
Richard B. Hays, Galatians, in NIB, Vol. 11, ed. Leander E. Keck, et. al.
(Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 2000), 328.
[7]
James Montgomery Boice, The Expositor's Bible Commentary, Pradis CD-ROM:
Galatians/Exposition of Galatians/III. The Call to Godly Living (5:1-6:10)/C.
Life in the Spirit (5:13-26)/1. Liberty is not license (5:13-18), Book Version:
4.0.2
[8] J. Lewis Martyn, “The Apocalyptic Gospel in Galatians”, Interpretation, (July 2000), 255.
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