Mary Heuss Nelson
Galatians 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set you free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
There is just something so wonderful and liberating about the word “freedom” isn’t there? No one likes to be held captive, it is human nature to want to be free.
Well, in our verse today, true and lasting freedom is the topic. This freedom trumps all other freedoms we could possibly think of for this freedom is found only in Christ Jesus! This freedom is freedom in our spirit, it is freedom here on earth and for eternity.
The church at Galatia which Paul had started, had gone astray in their teaching. They were trying to add obeying the Jewish law to accepting Christ as Savior for salvation. By doing this they were becoming what is called legalistic. When people become legalistic they abandon Christ as their only hope of righteousness before God and depend on their own work of obedience to the law to save them. They, in essence, make Christ of no value. So, Paul instructs them to come back to the true gospel of Jesus Christ which is salvation through faith in Jesus alone and His work on the cross at Calvary.
There are still legalistic Christians in our world today. They tack a whole bunch of works on to faith in Christ to judge Christians salvation. These individuals try and make God’s children go back under the “yoke of slavery” that Christ has delivered us from. When Jesus shed His blood on the cross, He fulfilled the law and the requirements of God for our atonement and right standing before Him.
Romans 10:4 (NLT)
For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in Him are made right with God.
There is simply no work we can do to add to the work of Christ for our salvation. Our salvation is by grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Father God, thank You for the freedom You have given me through Christ! Help me to never take this freedom for granted Father, for I know that it came at a great cost to my precious Lord and Savior. I love You so my Jesus and lay my life at Your feet this day to do as You want me to do. I give You all praise, honor, and glory my Redeemer, Amen!
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