Galatians Believers Had Tried Hard in Keeping

Galatians believers had tried hard in keeping the law to attain some spiritual perfection, but all these did not succeed. Most of the churches were torn apart because of the conflicts and differences they had among themselves. The believers were seen to be biting as well, as devouring one another (v.15). The believer's devotion concerning the law did not let them to commit one another in love, thus made them to break the law. These issues generated many questions to Galatians believers since they were wondering where they could find motivation as well as, the power to resolve their conflicts, and renewing love among themselves.

Paul was astonished, and told them to try and live by the strength or the spirit (v. 16). Paul told them so because he knew that, the Christian life normally starts with the Spirit, and it is the only power which can sustain the life of the Christian. "Walking by the spirit" in this case, Paul meant that one should choose his lifestyle, by not doing what one just wants to do, since all forms of life are both directed by the Spirit. Paul continues by telling the Galatians that, the flesh only desires what is different to Spirit, however, Spirit is also contrary to what the flesh desires. The two are in conflict to one another so that, one should never do what he wants to do.

Paul promises the Galatians believers that, when they live by the spirit, they will no longer gratify the desires of the evil nature. He encouraged them to always walk since walking was a form of exercise but warned them to only walk by the spirit because these needed determination of how one can follow the right direction with power. Believers who walked by the spirit did not have any sinful nature given that they knew what they were doing. This is because; it transformed many people who were biting as well as, devouring them into the community who are there to serve one another in love.

Today, many questions have risen regarding what believers do in order to cross the river and to what extent can they manage to do that, as compared to the Biblical audience. The difference that exists in the Biblical audience and today is that, most believers have enough knowledge as well as understanding about the commandment of God as they try to build a stronger relationship with him as compared to the time of Paul when most Galatians believers were arguing that there is no existence of God. The scripture transcends the limits of time and equally applies to the contemporary society where there are major forces and urge to satisfy the needs of the flesh at the expense of the spiritual adherence.

However, the theological principle in this text is, believers should obey their Lord and once they do so, they will receive a lot of blessings, on the other hand, when they disobey the Lord, punishment will come against them. There was a deliberate attempt to point out the incompatibility of the mortal needs and the immortal or spiritual commands. In this case, Paul tried to make sure that the Galatians believers obey the commandments of God and follow them. Paul gave some specific expressions to the Biblical audiences who seemed to be Galatians believers.