Galatians 5:25-26 25If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
The key to the sanctified life is obeying the leading of the Holy Spirit who will point the way to God’s will for us in Christ Jesus. Sanctification is not about obedience to laws like circumcision but to the law of love. The Holy Spirit will inspire and encourage us to act in certain ways consistent with God’s reveals laws, which all point in some remote way to Christlikeness. The Spirit brings spiritual life to us (John 3:5-8), and this becomes evident in how we live.
This verse is constructed as a conditional sentence. If the first part is true, then the second part should follow. To live by the Spirit means to find our source of strength, our worldview, our purpose and plans in what the Spirit wants to do in us. Paul has already listed in vv. 22-23 a number of qualities and actions the Spirit will produce in us if we live in agreement with the Spirit. The word “if” at the beginning of this verse can also be translated as “since.” The Galatians started off well with the Spirit but were in danger of walking away from the Spirit. Paul is reminding them of the good thing they have going for them with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit was working in them and in their churches. They just needed to cooperate and listen in.
Living by the Spirit requires that we keep in step with the Spirit. The Spirit sets the direction for us and we need to follow this direction. This will lead to the fruit Paul lists in the previous verses. If we depart from this way, we are going out on our own effort and strength. The way we keep in step is through obedience. How do we know what the Spirit says? The primary place to look in God’s revelation of Jesus found in the Bible. As we look closer, we find the essential quality of love. Our primary test if we are walking by the Spirit is the law of love. Are we loving like God, particularly as revealed in Jesus of Nazareth? Both the Old and New Testaments reveal to us the love of God. Any action or thought that violates the law of love is not according to the Spirit.
Verse 26 shows one illustration of living without love. Being conceited, provoking one another, envying one another is a sign of selfishness and pride, which is how people of the flesh live. The remedy to these ailments is to live by love. Love puts the needs of others first. Love is humble and does what is best for others. This is what the Galatians needed. This was immensely more important than circumcision or any Jewish rituals. If they did this, they would fulfill God’s laws and become like Christ.
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