It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore,
keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians
5:1
Real Freedom Requires Discipline
- therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again
to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1b
I am free to do whatever I please ... and responsible for
whatever it is I choose. God's desire and design is that I use it to live and
act in Christ. However, the demands of
freedom cause many to return to the bonds of slavery. But now after you have known
God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and
beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? Galatians 4:9
Who
would have thought that so many of the slaves after the Civil War in America
would return to their masters of chains and bondage? Freedom was before them but bondage was their
way of life. The Bible tells us we are
free in Christ and yet so many times we find ourselves shackled and chained to
our past feelings, thoughts, habits and religion. We, like the slaves after the Civil War,
forsake our freedom for a life of bondage, when we have been set free.
The
keys to our spiritual freedom were gained at Christ's death. Christ has given us the keys of surrender,
acceptance, confession, responsibility, forgiveness, transformation, and
preservation to bring about spiritual renewal in each of our lives. Too many prefer law over grace and the comfort
of measurable religion to the freedom and adventure of a vibrant relationship
with the living God. To choose to be
free means leaving conformity to the law and its condemnation to walk in the
liberty of the Spirit of God within you.
How I Live Is The True Measure
Of How Free I Am
How much of my life is a freedom experience? Unless we
accept God's gift of freedom we will never become who we are meant to be. If the child never ventures beyond the
comforting walls of hearth and home; if the adolescent does not cut the ties
and head on off into this dangerous world to chart his or her own way. If we as adults cannot at least for one small
moment cease trying to live up to the expectations of others, and claim our
freedom, we can never mature, and grow.
The
work is done and the battle is won!
Jesus Christ has paid for our freedom.
"For freedom Christ has set us free." God grants us our
freedom unconditionally, without merit on our part, and without restriction as
to how we may use it. Now we have the
opportunity to live free from the law of sin and death.
Scripture to
Claim:
There is therefore now no condemnation for those
who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in
Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.