Galatians 5
1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Why people do it is something only they will have to answer for. Christ is The ONLY Way to truly be free in this evil world. NOTHING else† There is a religion out there for everything. Christianity is The Only reality. Churches will try to put you in bondage with false doctrine and satan is behind the things of the worldly ways. You MUST study to see The Truth and come out from the traps.
2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
Going only by the law will not give you salvation. Don't let them put you in bondage when Christ has set you free. We are to follow the law, but it can't save you. Some will make the law their religion, while putting Christ in the back of the church.
3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
If you're going to circumcise yourself because of the law, you better be willing to keep all of the law. Neither will save you though. A sacrifice has been given, ignoring Him doesn't change a thing.
4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
"Grace" is unmerited favor, favor that you can never earn. Christ paid the price for all sin on the cross at Calvary's Hill.
5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
The law doesn't create love, following The Path of Christ does. Sometimes they won't see it that way because even Christ used tough love. We are to circumcise our hearts. Your faith shows your love for Christ. You are a can do Christian, not a poor me babe of the world.
7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?
What happened? You were doing so good with following the things of Christ. Why did you let your fleshly though back in?
8 This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you.
You have stopped listening to God and started listening to satan.
9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.
"A little leaven" makes the whole loaf rise! What we put into our lives is what we will put out. Make sure it is Christ if you call yourself a Christian†
10 I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.
God is going to handle the fakes on Judgment Day.
11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.
Even if Paul preaches circumcision and the cross, there will always be those that prefer circumcision over the cross. It's always best to stick with The Truth.
12 I would they were even cut off which trouble you.
Paul is saying. it would be better to cut the thing off then worry about the legalistic religions of them who preach circumcision.
13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
We haven't been called to follow a bunch of laws, but to follow Christ. If the world goes against The things of God, you stay focused on what's right.
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Do you love yourself enough that you would want The Truth? Looking on that one, do you know in what manner they would receive it? Be as patient as possible, just don't be a door mat for anyone.
15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
If you're looking to arguing just for the sake of arguing it's a waste of time for everyone involved. Christians won't waste their time with those that refuse The Truth. There are always those waiting to hear it, so why waste it.
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Walking with God you have no care of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
You will walk in one or the other. You can't walk in both, fleshly wants and spiritual needs. It is easy to know what is crying out to you. If the world is for it, God is against it. Look at those that walk with the homos. That refuse God! They walk of the flesh, many while calling themselves Christians. They refuse The Spirit of God. They lust after the flesh and the world.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
The law is our school master. It has nothing to do with our salvation. Christ is our salvation. He came to fulfill the law, not do away with it. Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
This is but part of the list we will see on "the works of the flesh". 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
More of that list on "the works of the flesh".
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
More of that list on "the works of the flesh".
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Here is the opposite list of the flesh, "the fruit of the Spirit".
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
More of that list on "the fruit of the Spirit". There isn't any law against doing good, loving of another, or to live in peace with your neighbor.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Christian turn from those fleshly things that trap people in the worldly ways and satans tricks. If only homos and porn addicts, thieves, etc. would turn to The Lord!
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
If you're going to call yourself a Christian, you had better know and follow the things of Christ.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
You know what real Christians can do with other Christians? They can forgive and move on without holding things against their brothers and sisters in Christ. †