The Apostle Paul’s letter to the Galatians most eloquently exposes "works of the flesh" for what they really are. After the salutation where he emphasizes his calling by God, he tells them of his amazement at how quickly they were being influenced away from the Gospel of Christ. In Galatians 1:7, Paul tells them … there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. He goes on to tell them, in verses 11-12, For I make known to you, brethren, as touching the gospel which was preached by me that it is not after man. For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ. (Orig. KJV) No man could take the credit for having taught Paul. It was the Lord Himself who indoctrinated Paul with the truth of the Gospel of Jesus.

But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me even from my mother’s womb, and called me through his grace, to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood. Galatians 1: 15-16. (Orig. KJV) God had taken Paul apart from all others to indoctrinate him in the Truth. When he returned, he conferred not with flesh and blood. That which God had given him was a sacred trust. He knew better than to allow the flesh-minded, legalistic, opinions of others to influence his calling. He knew that the things of the Spirit must be spiritually discerned, and "flesh and blood" would not have understood the things of God.

Paul’s conversion was an amazing, and miraculous, work attributable to God and God alone. The former "Saul" was a true Pharisee. He was steeped in the Law, believing that salvation came through circumcision and every other minute detail of the Law of Moses. What a marvelous wonder that one such as Saul could be changed from a Pharisee to a true believer in Jesus Christ and His Gospel! This transformation was evident to those of the Church, and some were heard to have said, He that once persecuted us now preacheth the faith of which once he made havock. Galatians 1:23 (Orig. KJV)

Jesus captured the heart of Paul, and transformed him into a passionate minister to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul’s heart was so changed that he willingly gave his all to take the Gospel to the Gentiles. He suffered many things, including imprisonment, but his faith in Jesus never wavered. His deep love for the One that had opened his eyes to the Truth compelled him to go forward at any cost. Eventually, he paid with his life.

Paul understood fully that it was needful to be born from above. He said, in Galatians 2:20-21, I have been crucified with Christ: yet I live; and yet no longer I, but Christ liveth in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me. I do not make void the grace of God; for if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nought. (Orig. KJV) Paul’s life was a testimony to the transforming power of God. He was changed from a Pharisee to one who relies on Christ for salvation [believes], and entrusts his spiritual well being to Christ [has faith].

Paul went on to say, O foolish Galatians, who did bewitch you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set forth, crucified? This only would I learn from you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are ye now perfected in the flesh? Galatians 3:1-3. (Orig. KJV) Paul asked the Gentiles, "who did fascinate you with false representations?" which is the correct meaning of the Greek word translated "bewitch."

Even some Gentiles had the idea that they should be under Moses’ Law. So Paul explained to them, For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one which continueth not in all things that are written in the book of the law to do them. Now that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, is evident: for, The righteous shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, he that doeth them shall live in them. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: that upon the Gentiles might come the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Galatians 3:10-14. (Orig. KJV)

The law was "not of faith," because Abraham had received the promise four hundred and thirty years before the Law was given. And because the purpose of the Law was to bring Israel to Christ, it was of necessity that it be removed when Jesus died. The Law was fulfilled. It had served its purpose. I urge you to read the previous paragraph once again: it speaks for itself regarding the "works of the law."

Having full knowledge of the ineffectiveness of the Law for righteousness, Paul had to plead with even the Gentiles, explaining to them the folly of becoming entangled in a yoke of bondage. With freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye receive circumcision, Christ will profit you nothing. Yea, I testify again to every man that receiveth circumcision, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. If any Gentile believes that he must abide by even one part of the Law, he becomes obligated to do the whole Law. And in so doing he is turning away from Christ of his own volition. As Paul said, Ye are severed from Christ, ye who would be justified by the law; ye are fallen away from grace. For we through the Spirit by faith wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith working through love. Galatians 5:1-6 (Orig. KJV) They had been freed from the flesh through Jesus. And now, in Christ Jesus, the only thing that counted was "faith working through love." Paul had told them, My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you. …Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? Galatians 4:19 & 21 (Orig. KJV)

For ye, brethren, were called for freedom; only use not your freedom for an occasion to the flesh, but through love be servants one to another. Paul was admonishing them that, in their "freedom," they should not go about exhibiting works of the flesh in unkindness. Then he continued, For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. But I say, Walk by the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: for these are contrary the one to the other: that ye may not do the things that ye would. But if ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Galatians 5:13-18 (Orig. KJV) The "lust of the flesh" is the tendency to operate in the natural - the flesh. But if they were "led by the Spirit," or "walked by the Spirit," their obedience was not according to the Law. Obedience to Jesus’ one commandment, "Love," was according to freedom as led by the Spirit. If they were under the Law, to disobey would make them guilty of the whole Law. As Paul said, in Romans 8:1-2, There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, for the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death. (Orig. KJV)

Paul went on to tell the Galatians how "works of the flesh" will manifest. He was pretty much saying, "Look, if you think you can walk by your flesh, and it is no big deal whether you love your neighbour or not, let me tell you of the other ways in which the flesh manifests. After all, flesh is still ‘flesh,’ even if it appears harmless." Chapter 5:19-21 says: Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, heresies, envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that they which practise such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Paul was exposing flesh for what it is. He was not listing a bunch of "thou shalt nots." The "practice" of such things is an evidence of unregenerate flesh. And unregenerate flesh shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

The flesh-conscious "Church" has changed people from human beings to "human doings." They have come to believe it is their deeds that make the difference. They believe that if they "DO good" it pleases God, and if anyone were to DO evil," he is "sinning." The knowledge of good and evil is so deeply rooted within man that it is not recognized as the mainspring of all fleshly manifestations, both "good" as well as "evil." Here is a very strong warning by Isaiah: Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Isaiah 5:20.
     
Fruit of the Spirit

Paul continued his letter, saying, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law [regulation]. And they that are of Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with the passions and the lusts thereof. If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk. Let us not be vainglorious, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:22-26 (Orig. KJV) If we "live by the Spirit," having been born from above, let us "walk" by the Spirit and allow His fruit to manifest in our lives.

The meanings of the Greek words for the fruit of the Spirit add greater depth to our understanding:

- LOVE is "affection or benevolence." Do we have real affection for those whom God has placed in our lives? Or do we "bite and devour" one another? Are we benevolent toward others, or are we selfish?

- JOY is "calm delight". Does calm delight show in our demeanor?

- PEACE is "quietness and wholeness." Are we soft-spoken, and serene? Do we have a deep sense of wholeness? Or do we fret and fuss about trivial matters?

- LONGSUFFERING is "patient endurance under provocation [longanimity]." Do we have patient endurance when we are provoked to the limit, and even persecuted? Or do we lash back in impatience and anger?

- KINDNESS is "excellence in character – helpfulness." Are we quick to be helpful toward others? Or is our character full of flaws with much self-centeredness?

- GOODNESS is "quality of being kind, or doing good." Are we kind toward those who are unkind to us? Are we willing to "do good" toward those who do ill against us?

- FAITHFULNESS is "reliance upon Christ for salvation." Are we faithful in our relationship of trust in Jesus? Or do we rely on the knowledge of good and evil to "please" God?

- MEEKNESS is "humility." Do we walk in quiet humility? Or do we exhibit arrogant self-assuredness?

- TEMPERANCE is "self-control, especially in physical appetites." Does self-control show in all that we do? Or are we easily tempted with gluttony, sexual lust, greed, and other things that appeal to our flesh?

The fifth and sixth chapters of Galatians are more to do with our relationships one with another, especially "faith working through love." Chapter 6:2 says, Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. In Romans 13:8-10, Paul said, Owe no man any thing, save to love one another: for he that loveth his neighbour hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is summed up in this word, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: love therefore is the fulfillment of the law. (Orig. KJV)

This next passage also is about walking in Love. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth unto his own flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption [decay, ruin]; but he that soweth unto the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap eternal life. A man who sows to "his own" flesh is selfish. But a man who sows to the Spirit is "self-less:" he has died to the flesh. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. So then, as we have opportunity, let us work that which is good toward all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:7-10 (Orig. KJV)

Workers of iniquity

Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God; and every one that loveth is begotten of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. I John 4:7-8. (Orig. KJV)

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name? And by thy name cast out devils? And by thy name do many mighty works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:21-23. (Orig. KJV) What is the Father’s will? If it is the one commandment that Jesus gave, then "Love" is the answer. Jesus’ words, "I never KNEW you," seem also to be in agreement because of what John said in the previous paragraph, "he that loveth not KNOWETH not God."