2 Chronicles 3-5 describes the building of the temple. It is hard to imagine a place that is completely overlaid in gold. It must have been glorious. When the temple is finished choir and orchestra of priests were assembled to the east of the altar. They make music in praise of the Lord. So many sheep and oxen are sacrificed that they cannot be numbered. The glory of God fills the temple as a cloud.

In Galatians 5 Paul, who has spoken against making Gentiles be circumcised, now says that circumcision actually cuts them off from Christ. They will be obliged to obey the law. He encourages them to open themselves to Christ’s grace. The only thing that counts is faith working through love.

Paul also says that freedom in Christ is not an opportunity for self-indulgence. Now we become slaves to one another, in other words, love your neighbor as yourself. He tells them to live by the Spirit, not gratifying the desires of the flesh. Paul lists some of these desires, some of which are obvious sins but others like strife, anger, quarrels, envy, might not seem as obvious, but are also those things that keep us from experiencing Christ’s grace and instead keep us under the law.

When we are living in the Spirit we exhibit His fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. If we live our lives this way we cannot break the law. Paul tells us to remember that those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh and its passions and desires. I repeat THROUGH CHRIST THE FLESH HAS BEEN CRUCIFIED. It is dead and buried. We are now able to be guided by the Spirit and exhibit His fruit. REMEMBER THIS!!!!!!!!!