31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.
4:5 There is no difference between Jew and Gentile. Both must be put "under the Law" first, before the gospel can redeem them. Why would any sinner see any need to be redeemed, if he didn't first see himself as a lawbreaker? Until each Commandment is applied to the conscience, sinners will not see sin as being "exceedingly sinful." The Law must also be preached in conjunction with future punishment. It has been well observed that "Law without consequence is nothing but good advice." The world must be made to understand that God is going to judge the world "in righteousness."
CHAPTER 5 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
2 Behold, I Paul say to you, that if you be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
4 Christ is become of no effect to you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; you are fallen from grace.
5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision avails anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which works by love.
7 You did run well; who did hinder you that you should not obey the truth?
8 This persuasion comes not of him that calls you.
9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump.
10 I have confidence in you through the Lord, that you will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubles you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.
11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.
12 I would they were even cut off which trouble you.
13 For, brethren, you have been called to liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; You shall love your neighbour as yourself.
15 But if you bite and devour one another, take heed that you be not consumed one of another.
5:16 Ten Ways to Break the Stronghold of Pornography 1 Would you ever take pornography to church and look at it during worship? You may as well, because God is just as present in your bedroom as He is in the church building.
2 Face the fact that you may not be saved.
Examine yourself to ensure that Christ is living in you (2 Corinthians 13:5). See Romans 6:11–22; 8:1–14; Ephesians 5:3–8.
3 Realize that when you give yourself to pornography, you are committing adultery 4 Grasp the serious nature of your sin.
Jesus said that it would be better for you to be blind and go to heaven, than for your eye to cause you to sin and end up in hell (Matthew
5 Those who profess to be Christians yet give themselves to pornographic material evidently lack the fear of God (Proverbs
16:6). Cultivate the fear of God by reading Proverbs 2:1–5.
6 Read Psalm 51 and make it your own prayer.
7 Memorize James 1:14,15 and 1 Corinthians 10:13. Follow Jesus' example (Matthew 4:3–11) and quote the Word of God when you are tempted (see Ephesians 6:12–
8 Make no provision for your flesh (Romans 13:14; 1 Peter 2:11). Get rid of every access to pornographic material—the Internet, printed literature, TV, videos, and movies. Stop feeding the fire.
9 Guard your heart with all diligence (Proverbs 4:23). Don't let the demonic realm have access to your thought-life. If you give yourself to it, you will become its slave
(Romans 6:16). Read the Bible daily, without fail. As you submit to God, the devil will flee 10 The next time temptation comes, do fifty push-ups, then fifty sit-ups. If you are still burning, repeat the process (see 1 Corinthians
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that you cannot do the things that you would.
18 But if you be led of the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
5:11 The cross will cause offense to the proud and self-righteous—those whose understanding is darkened. To those who understand their need of grace (the humble), it is a tree of life.