As in Romans 7 and 8, Paul is contrasting walking by the Spirit and living by the flesh. The Galatians were naturally keen to please God, and the Judaisers had offered a superficially attractive way, saying that if they followed the law then they would please God more. Paul warns them that if they do this they will be living by the flesh, living out of their own resources. This will inevitably lead to moral failure.
Why is this? The reason is that we are fallen, we are sinful. So if live out of our own strength something inevitably goes wrong. Even if we set out with the best of intentions, sooner or later (usually sooner!) sin kicks in. The Spirit and the flesh are opposed to each other. Our flesh does not want to depend upon trusting God, we prefer to be in control. The Spirit leads us in ways that demand that we trust in God, and our flesh doesn't like doing this.
If we are led by the Spirit we are not under law. This does not mean that we can do what we want, but that we do not live by law, and do not seek to gain acceptance by obeying the customs of the law.
Why is this? The reason is that we are fallen, we are sinful. So if live out of our own strength something inevitably goes wrong. Even if we set out with the best of intentions, sooner or later (usually sooner!) sin kicks in. The Spirit and the flesh are opposed to each other. Our flesh does not want to depend upon trusting God, we prefer to be in control. The Spirit leads us in ways that demand that we trust in God, and our flesh doesn't like doing this.
If we are led by the Spirit we are not under law. This does not mean that we can do what we want, but that we do not live by law, and do not seek to gain acceptance by obeying the customs of the law.
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