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The excerpt represents the core issue or deciding factor on which you must meditate, and is drawn from Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians by Martin Luther: or less infected, as pride, hatred, covetousness, impatience. Later on Paul
enumerates among the works of the flesh even idolatry and heresy. The
apostle's meaning is clear. "I want you to love one another. But you do
not do it. In fact you cannot do it, because of your flesh. Hence we cannot
be justified by deeds of love. Do not for a moment think that I am
reversing myself on my stand concerning faith. Faith and hope must
continue. By faith we are justified, by hope we endure to the end. In
addition we serve each other in love because true faith is not idle. Our
love, however, is faulty. In bidding you to walk in the Spirit I indicate to
you that our love is not sufficient to justify us. Neither do I demand that
you should get rid of the flesh, but that you should control and subdue it."
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