Dead Weight

Why would anyone want to carry around "dead weight?" Sometimes a person might carry it in order to increase their strength, however, if the weight would not bring any benefit to the body it would be totally useless. Driving your car with one foot on the brake will not help you have good gas milage. Neither will running the race of faith with the weight of sin on your shoulders.
Paul notices that the Galatians started out well in their spiritual journey but lately something has caused them to be hinder in their obedience. The hindrance did not come from God but from someone/something else. Paul calls it "leaven" because the Galatians would have know that a little bit of yeast has an effect on the entire batch of dough. You need to understand that what he means by the description is sin. Even a small amount of sin will corrupt your entire life.


Gal 5:7-15 7 You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough. 10 I have confidence in you in the Lord that you will adopt no other view; but the one who is disturbing you will bear his judgment, whoever he is. 11 But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished. 12 I wish that those who are troubling you would even mutilate themselves. 13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 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. NASU

Paul continues to point out that if it really was important to be circumcised for ones salvation then he should not be receiving persecution. However, those pushing obedience to the law will just continue to expand the requirements. You can never obey all of the law and one small step of disobedience will cause your judgement.


Explore for yourself
1. What danger does Paul shout concerning truth?
2. What confidence does Paul have?
3. What question does Paul ask concerning his own persecution?
4. What does Paul wish would happen to those stirring up trouble? (See also Deut 23:1)
Is there some "small" sin in your life that is corrupting all of you? Follow the truth of 1 John 1:9 and confess that sin, God will be faithful and forgive you and then cleanse you of all your unrighteousness.