In a previous post, I mentioned that our small group has begun a study of Paul’s marvelous letter to the Galatians this week. I just scanned through the letter, noticing again some of the great Scriptures contained in that little book (all of the following Scriptures are quoted from the NASB):

• 2:20: 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 gave Himself up for me.

• 3:3: Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?

• 3:28: There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

• 4:6-7: Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.

• Gal 5:1: It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

• 5:22-23: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

• Gal 6:7-9: Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.

In reviewing those great passages from Galatians, I notice the recurring and fundamental emphasis on the Holy Spirit.

• Our faith began by the Spirit.

• As Christ Himself, the Spirit endwells us.

• He unites us in our hearts with the Father.

• He manifests his exquisite spiritual fruit in our lives.

• Our call is to sow to the Spirit, and in return we reap from the Spirit eternal life.