Everyone wants to be free, right? The problem is that we often mistake slavery for freedom!
Paul begins this chapter with some good news. Christ has set us free in order that we may be free indeed. (Sounds a lot like Jesus in John 8:36: "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.") However there are twin dangers of false freedoms - gutters on either side of the road of salvation - that threaten to derail our path.
First is the temptation to works righteousness. The Galatians are making the tragic choice of trading their freedom in faith for slavery to the law. When you opt to pursue salvation through your own efforts instead of trusting in Christ's righteousness, you are trusting in a false freedom. Paul says you have "fallen from grace." (Note: "falling from grace" does not mean recklessly sinning God's favor away; it means scorning it in favor of works righteousness!) It is not circumcision which saves - vs. 6 says it is spiritually irrelevant - but faith through the Spirit.
For those who like a little color and passion in their Bible reading, what do you think of Paul's heated comment in vs. 12? That those who are leading the Galatians astray by encouraging them to get circumcised should just go the whole way themselves and be castrated! There's a laugh-out-loud moment for you!
As we are no longer chained to a slavish obedience to Jewish laws and customs, neither are we slaves to sin. Paul next lists behaviors and vices that can keep us out of the kingdom (vs. 19-21). These "works of the flesh" are often misunderstood by the world as freedoms to be pursued and indulged in. Paul points out that captivity to these things actually prevents us from doing what we want. Sin is a false freedom.
So what does true freedom look like? Check out the list that Paul offers in contrast to slavish obedience to works righteousness and the temptations of the works of the flesh. He offers us the Fruit of the Spirit!
The Fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control) is a beautiful picture of where true freedom in Christ leads. Who wouldn't want their lives to be full of these rich blessings? And we can pursue these qualities as much as our hearts desire - against these virtues there is no law!
Don't you want to be free to experience love and joy and peace? Don't you want the freedom to be a more patient and gentle person? This path is through Jesus Christ, living in true freedom through the Spirit!
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