As he approaches the end of his letter to the Galatians, Paul rings a warning bell...Freedom from the law means each believer takes on responsibility for his or her actions. The gift of Jesus Christ is free, but not cheap - and individual actions continue to have significant repercussions. In verse 7 Galatians inclined towards libertine behavior are warned with the proverbial "God is not mocked." Since the term translated here as "mocked" is not a usual part of Paul's vocabulary, we may assume that this was a common proverb of the first century - yet one highly applicable to this situation.

Verse 8's sowing and reaping imagery defines the active role believers take in shaping their own destinies. The Spirit is available to all who seek it. But it is also quite avoidable. Paul states plainl…