Do not sell your freedom
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Gal. 5:1 NIV)
If you read the verse above in isolation without knowledge of the previous 4 chapters of Galatians, you may be tempted to assume the Apostle Paul was talking about freedom from sin here. The “yoke of slavery” he is referring to here is not sin but the slavery of trying to gain God’s approval by doing something rather than believing. If you have not yet read the entire book of Galatians, preferably in one sitting, I strongly encourage you to do so. It has only 6 short chapters. It will have a tremendous impact on you as you discover the freedom you have in Christ. You will see the plight of many Christians today-bondage to the Law without realizing it.
God has made us accepted by our faith in Christ. You cannot do “good things” to gain His acceptance, win His blessings or make Him love you more, etc. This is the bondage of the law. It is hard work to try to live right to meet God’s standards. The Jews understood how difficult this was. Christ brought us freedom from this bondage by making it possible for us to believe in Him and receive all that God has for us rather than try to get these things ourselves. You may think who wouldn’t want this? Well, this is what we still struggle with even today as believers. When we believe, we often think there is still something else we should do to add to our faith. We seem to feel better about ourselves if we have done something religious. To some, this might be more prayer, Bible study, working for God etc. Whatever it is, that we do with the intention of gaining God’s approval or seeking to earn His blessing is the law mentality working in us. We must jealously guard the freedom God has given to us. Why go back to bondage? Stand firm in faith and do not let yourself be trapped and enslaved with the bondage of the law.
MEDITATE
The Word in your mind and mouth (1 Tim 4:15; Josh 1: 8)
Christ has made you free. Meditate on the verse above in the light of today’s devotional. Mutter those words and confess them aloud, that you are free and acceptable to God in the Beloved.
PRAY
Water the Seed (word) to grow. Invite the Spirit’s strength! (Isa 32:15; Zach 4:6)
One of the worst aspects of the law mentality in Church is that believers who are trapped in it do not even realize it. Ask the Holy Spirit in prayer to show you many aspects of your life that you may be trusting on yourself rather than Christ.
APPLY THE WORD TODAY!
Your door to a blessed life today is doing God’s Word. Refuse to be a hearer or reader only! (James 1:22-26)
One of the faithful signs of the law at work in a believer is the feeling of frustration with the Christian life. Faith might not make sense to you, but that’s God’s way. Believe what God has said about you! Stop every effort on your part to try to please God and obtain His blessing and start believing that Christ has already made you accepted in His sight and brought the blessing over to you already!
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