4 Life Lessons from Galatians

Galatians, one of the apostle Paul’s short letters, is brimming with life lessons for every follower of Jesus.

One of the most important things we can realize as we draw out these lessons and apply them to our lives is that we all live in a slightly different culture and context. Things that are powerful lessons to me may not be as powerful for you and there are certainly lessons here that will have dramatically more dynamic impact on your life than on mine. So, I encourage you to not only read these lessons, pray about them and apply them to your life but also to study this book and find lessons that will more aptly apply to you and your circumstances today.

Crucified

The much-quoted verse of Paul’s testimony is transformational and foundational for anyone who begins to follow Jesus.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20 (ESV)

Jesus called on his disciples to take up their cross. Paul tells us that he has found new life in participating in the crucifixion. Of course, this is not literal. It is spiritual. We must die to ourselves in order to experience the new life of Jesus. This is a life that is far beyond our comprehension. It is eternal in scope and immediate in experience. As he says, it is lived in faith and comprehended in the love of Christ.

Sons

I like the original text. It uses the word son for a very specific reason. In Paul’s day, it was the sons who enjoyed the privilege. So, read in that context, we see women actually elevated to the special status of sons!

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

Galatians 4:4–7 (ESV)

Some versions will use words like sons and daughters or children but that erodes the meaning and impact of the word. We were slaves. Now we are sons. We are granted unique privilege and opportunity.

A word to the ladies about this. I have often said that if the women don’t mind being referred to as sons, the men won’t object to be identified as the bride of Christ!

Fruit

Fruit grows naturally on a healthy tree. When we are healthy followers of Jesus, the fruit appears in our lives. If the fruit of the Spirit is not manifesting in your life, you’re not healthy! Pray about it and ask God to fill you with his Spirit. Pray Galatians 2:20 into your life.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22–23 (ESV)

Healthy Christians live a powerful life that changes the world around them. Be one of those!

Do Good

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:9 (ESV)

This verse came to me at the perfect time during a discouraging season of ministry. We are called to be faithful to the work God has given us. I have been blessed to hear reports of the impact my life made on others. Some of those reports were about events that happened decades ago, when I wasn’t even aware I was making a difference! This is how God works.

Stay true to the work God has given you to do. He will make a difference through your faithful efforts.

Get Serious about Galatians

I challenged you to find lessons for your own life from this book. So, right now, I want to encourage you to take a few minutes to read Galatians and find a lesson for your life for this very day!

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