Introduction.   The book of Galatians is dedicated to showing that genuine obedience to the commands of God comes from accepting the guidance of the Holy Spirit of Truth, not from human effort.  Under the guidance of Truth, we come to understand that the people who set in motion the events that led to the crucifixion of Jesus were not evil people.  They were regular worshippers and conscientious adherents to the commandments - yet they lacked Love.  There are two human natures, one that trusts what can be sensed and controlled - the flesh - and another that lovingly trusts God -- the divine "seed" that is the gift of the Spirit.  If, instead of trying to obey commandments, we place our whole trust that Truth will reveal what we must do and Love will move us to choose rightly, then whatever we do will be approved by God.  This is an astonishing teaching, a teaching of perfect liberty.  In closing Galatians, Paul tempers his message to teach that if liberty does not conform with the law of love, then it is mere license.

You, my brothers, were called to be free.  But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature [i.e., the flesh] ; rather, serve one another in love.  The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.  So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.  For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature.  They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.  I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.  Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. [Gal. 5:1, 13-25.]

Meditatio.   Christ did not free us for no reason; we are expected to use that liberty and actively refuse to be bound by mere commandments.  But in exercising that liberty, we must love others or we will be tempted to become servants of our own flesh.  Paul, in an act of startling boldness even repeals Jesus' commandment to love God and asserts that "Love your neighbor" is sufficient to encompass the whole of the Law and bring one to God.

It is easy to tell whether you are serving God or serving your own flesh, Paul tells us.  Spirit is expressed in love, while flesh is expressed in sexual immorality.  The Spirit leads one into joy, while the flesh leads one into sexual promiscuity.  The Spirit leads one into peaceful acceptance of this life, while the flesh leads one into trying to use the magic of gods and sorcery to control it.  Choose the kindness of the Spirit or the hatred that comes from the flesh.  Choose to be patient in all things or to quarrel, covet and feel rage.

Aren't the commandments merely prohibitions against the destructive actions inspired by the flesh?  If we choose destructive actions over just and loving ones, how can we expect to enter the Kingdom of God?  If we have really joined Christ, then we have left the emotional turbulence of concerns about everyday matters behind for the calm of God's Presence.  If we are going to walk with the Spirit, let us not lag behind its guiding hand, but eagerly keep pace.

Contemplatio.   Adoration.  All you ask of us is that we love one another.  In return, you grant us perfect freedom to do whatever we wish.  If we trust you and listen to the voice of Truth, you guarantee to bring us safely home.  Astonishing that serving could be so easy!   Confession.  We want the freedom you offer, but we want to subvert it to serve our selfish desires.  We do not sense the eternal things, especially justice and truth.  We sense what we can see, hear, touch, taste and feel.  Even though your way is easy, it requires trust, which is difficult.   Thanksgiving.  Thank you for bringing us into perfect liberty, Lord.  Thank you for the Love of Jesus that helps us to use that liberty well and the guidance of the Holy Spirit of Truth that helps to keep us honest about whether we are using our liberty wisely or selfishly.  Thank you for your Presence that reminds of the eternal.   Supplication.  Help us to keep perspective, Lord.  This life lasts a few years.  Your universe has already lasted billions of years.  But you were here before it existed and will be here after it is gone.  When we next are tempted to quarrel, help us to remember how brief is the flesh and how long is eternity.  When we are tempted to shade the truth, remind us that humility is the garment of those who will live forever, while pride is the robe of Medea, that burns unquenchably.