Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity 06 September anno domini 2026 Holy Communion
The Epistle. Galatians 5:16-24 The Gospel. Luke 17:11-19
Almighty and everlasting God, give unto us the
increase of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we
may obtain that which thou dost promise, make
us to love that which thou dost command;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
# 549, 263, 362
“Walking away from Chaos”
What a contrast of concepts or should I say conflicts? When the apostle Paul was writing to the church at Galicia, he was trying to regroup and refresh the young church that was in the midst of some fairly serious conflicts. The pressures of the secular world were encroaching on all sides, the pagan society was infiltrating the young church in some most insidious ways. All the while, the young believers were trying to follow the gospel message Paul had left them a few years earlier. But what makes the letter to the Galician church even more pressing, the enemy was within the gates.
A group of believers who ascribed to a more Jewish tinted faith came into the church to advocate for all new believers to become Jewish before they could be true followers of Jesus Christ. Paul, a true Jew above Jews, said NO. These particular people would be labeled “Judaizers”. They would attempt to ‘correct’ the errors of Paul and those who had evangelized with him, by saying all new believers had to do Jewish things such as be circumcised and even observe many Judaic customs. As we know this is what caused an early rift between Paul and Peter, later being cleared up with a council in Jerusalem. Paul’s understanding of the universality of the Gospel would prevail and aid in the growth of the early church across the Roman empire. You can find more information about this council in Acts 15.
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
In a very clear way Paul uses the Ten Commandments reflect on the errors of the Judaizers in their attempt to draw Gentile believers back under the Law. Because Man is a fallen creature, from the Garden forward, he cannot help but fail. Paul points this out by way of the failed keeping of the Commandments and the failed nature of man. The next three verses outline that very clearly. In this way, Paul is explaining why going back to the Law is fatal, there is no health in us... So all of this human behavior will guarantee no inheritance of the kingdom of God. The only way anyone can inherit the kingdom is by being washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of our Lord Jesus.
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.
Now in the greatest contrast, Paul notes the true fruits of the Spirit. Notice how free of strife and chaos this list is, there is an inherent peace that comes with the reflection on these words written by Paul so many centuries ago. And yet even though they were written that long ago, they are still relevant to our own times. We live in a very stress filled world, much of it caused by the incessant drone of bad news, fear inducing commentary, facts twisted out of context, all products of the god of this world, Lucifer/Satan, the father of lies. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
We need to rest in the comfort of what this letter to the Galatians church was teaching. And even these many centuries later, still teaching us. Peace and all the fruits of the Spirit, because of the gift of God, his Son our Savior, who died for our sins.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Folks, let us boldly proclaim the Gospel to the world, both by word and by deed. We can be salt and light to a world that is perishing. We can be the answer to the question of what is the purpose of one’s life. We can show the world that there is the true way to salvation and that being Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world.
Let us pray.
O GOD, whose nature and property is ever to have mercy and to forgive; Receive our humble petitions; and though we be tied and bound with the chain of our sins, yet let the pitifulness of thy great mercy loose us; for the honour of Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Advocate. Amen.
O God, our heavenly Father, who didst manifest Thy love by sending Thine only begotten Son into the world that all may live through Him: Pour Thy Spirit upon Thy Church that it may fulfil His command to preach the Gospel to every creature; send forth, we beseech Thee, laborers into Thy harvest; defend them in all dangers and temptations and hasten the time when the fulness of the Gentiles shall be gathered in, and all Israel shall be saved; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O LORD Jesus Christ, who saidst unto thine Apostles, Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; Regard not our sins, but the faith of thy Church; and grant to it that peace and unity which is according to thy will, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.
