Paul’s letter to the churches of Galatia has shown us the importance of being set free from the laws demands. We’ve also seen how the cross frees us from the grip of sin – when we trust in Jesus and receive His new resurrection life. Only the cross of Jesus can free us from the burden of the law and the power of sin at the same time.
Every church has to deal with differing levels of maturity and biblical knowledge within its congregation. This can lead to differing opinions on issues of conscience regarding what may or may not be done. In this chapter Paul teaches us that love is a better guide than knowledge on issues of conscience. Love considers what is best for others above our own personal freedom.
In Chapters 6 & 7 Paul carefully expressed to us the conflict we experience between the Spirit and the flesh. He pointed out how sin takes hold within our flesh and prompts us to do things that we know we shouldn’t be doing. He pointed out that we need to consider ourselves dead to sin, dead to the law and alive to Jesus Christ. In Chapter 8 we find out how spiritual life begins to take shape.
In Romans 6, Paul made the point that if we are in Christ, we are dead to sin and alive to Romans 7, he’ll make a related point: We are also dead to the law and alive to Christ.
Central Reflections 