PART II (NASB)

"13 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. 14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another."

The legal practices of the Law of Moses provide “an opportunity for the flesh” to declare itself righteous. There is no hope nor faith in this. The Galatians are free to do what they want, but they shouldn’t take back up the sin of Adam. In this, each one of them only serves themselves, but Paul commands them to “serve one another through love.”

Paul is justified in making this command because Leviticus 19:18 orders God’s people to do this very thing, to love their neighbors as themselves. In fact, Paul them triples down on what he said earlier—about Jesus only being concerned with faith working through love—when he begins verse 14 by declaring that “the whole Law is fulfilled in one word,” the love of one’s neighbor as oneself. 

"15 But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another."
The Galatians are going to do what they are going to do, and Paul has hope that they will return to the true gospel, but their choice to pick at one another—their choice to disagree among themselves—will damage and infringe upon their witness and their ability to fulfill the role of being the body of Christ. 

If the church continues down the path of walking in the Law, in merit, they will only fulfill the desires of the flesh—they will only, ultimately, be overcome by sin. Paul then writes some of the most quoted words in all of Christianity. 

"16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, in order to keep you from doing whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. 19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, 20 idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, 21envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."

Paul says here that to seek to fulfill the Law will carry out the desire of the flesh. This legalism will ultimately lead to the “deeds of the flesh” that “are evident”. He then gives the Galatians a long list of the things that WILL result from carrying out the desires of the flesh. Paul’s statement is proven true simply by looking at the life of the Jews who maintained the necessity of the Law. 

Ok. What I’m about to say will be provocative to some, but it ties in with what Paul has been saying of the Law to the Galatians. Here goes. Paul tells the Galatians that submitting to the Law will only result in “the deeds of the flesh” that are listed in verses 19-21. It doesn’t matter that the Law was given by God to the Moses to set His people apart, although it is full of things about holiness and purity…If the Galatians submit to it, they will fall away from Christ. 

And why is this? In verses 16-18 Paul tells the church that only the Spirit acts against the flesh—against pride. And since the Law only results in pride…So Paul tells the Galatians that they cannot do whatever they want because the desires of the flesh and the desires of the Spirit are incompatible. Well, more than that, they are enemies. “You cannot serve both God and wealth,” Jesus says. 

Following the Law will ultimately lead to the DEEDS of the flesh, which will produce a life of chaos; just look at that list bouncing around from one sin to the next. “ 22 But the FRUIT of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control”. 

As we learned in the series on James, deeds done without faith are dead. And Paul tells us why, they lead only to chaos. Our works, even when undertaken with the best intentions, will only lead to these deeds of the flesh. 

In verses 22 and 23, Paul distinguishes the deeds of the flesh—the work that comes out of our pride—from the fruits of the Spirit. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control spring not from our effort—or work—but arise in our lives from the presence of the Spirit. 
So, going back to something that Paul said earlier in this letter. Jesus died in order that the nations of the world might be blessed by the presence of the Spirit. Jesus died so that we might experience these fruits; something that would have been impossible otherwise. 

Paul closes out the chapter by stating: “25 If we live by the Spirit, let’s follow the Spirit as well. 26 Let’s not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.”

This is further evidence of what is happening in the church. “I’m holier that you.” “You are a sinner.” They are competing in the works of the Law—which will only lead to disappointment—when they should be competing in love.