13 For you were called to freedom, brothers; 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 this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another.
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you do not do the things that you want.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.
Referenced scripture:
Romans 7:18-25
Quotes:
“Becoming a Christian involves having Christ’s own nature and Spirit in personal residence and that motivation to obey the commands and restrictions of the New Testament is therefore not external. The Christian has the glorious privilege of living under the internal guidance, restraint, and power of the Holy Spirit who energizes him to obey the will of God.” (Dr. John MacArthur)
“This is the freedom with which ‘Christ has set us free’ (verse 1) and to which we ‘were called’ (verse 13). We are to stand firm in it, neither relapsing into slavery on the one hand, nor falling into license on the other.” (John R. W. Stott)
“The power for Christian living is entirely from the Holy Spirit, just as the power of salvation is entirely in Jesus Christ. But both in the justifying work of Christ and in the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, man’s will is active and commitment is called for.” (Dr. John MacArthur)
“What is God’s law now? It is not above a Christian—it is under a Christian... it is for him to walk on, to be his guide, his rule, his pattern: ‘we are not under law but under grace.’ Law is the road which guides us, not the rod which drives us, nor the spirit which actuates us. The law is good and excellent, if it keep its place.” (Charles Spurgeon)