What freedom do we have in Christ?

Freedom is one of those words that everyone likes, but not everyone means the same thing by it.

For some, freedom means having no rules. For others, it means being able to do whatever feels right in the moment. Still others think of freedom as independence—not needing anyone else or answering to anyone else.

The freedom Paul speaks about in Galatians is something entirely different.

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”

Paul is writing to Christians who were being told that faith in Jesus was not enough. They believed Christ had died and risen again, but now they were hearing that they also needed to keep parts of the Old Testament ceremonial law in order to be fully accepted by God.

In other words, they were being invited to return to a system where their standing with God depended, at least in part, on what they accomplished.

Paul calls that slavery.

That might seem like a strong word, but he chooses it carefully. Whenever we believe our acceptance before God depends on our performance, we become slaves again. We are never sure whether we have done enough. We are always measuring ourselves, always wondering if God is pleased, always trying to earn what Christ has already won.

That kind of life is exhausting.

The Gospel offers something radically different.

Christ has already fulfilled the Law in your place. He has already borne its curse at the cross. He has already declared you righteous before the Father.

You are free.

That freedom does not mean that sin no longer matters or that God’s commandments have become unimportant. Sin is it’s own kind of slavery as well. Paul will go on to explain that those who belong to Christ are called to walk by the Spirit and to love their neighbors. But those good works no longer flow from fear of condemnation or a desperate attempt to earn God’s favor.

They flow from freedom.

Think of the difference between an employee trying to keep a job and a beloved child helping around the family home. One works because he fears losing his place. The other serves because he already belongs.

That is the difference Christ has made.

You no longer obey because you are trying to become God’s child.

You obey because, through Christ, you already are.

So whenever you find yourself slipping back into the thought that God will love you more if you perform better, or accept you less when you fail, return to Paul’s words.

Christ has set you free.

Live in that freedom.

Not the freedom to live for yourself, but the freedom to live as someone who already knows he is loved, forgiven, and welcomed by God.

Let’s pray…

Lord Jesus,

Thank You for setting me free through Your death and resurrection. Forgive me for the times I try to earn what You have already given or measure my standing with the Father by my own performance.

Help me to stand firm in the freedom You have won for me. Let my obedience flow from gratitude rather than fear, and my service be shaped by a love of my neighbor and the confidence that I already belong to You.

Keep me always trusting in Your finished work and rejoicing in the freedom that is mine in You.

Amen.

As part of your devotion time, I encourage you to also pray for at least some of the following:

• Your family
• Your local church
• Your pastor
• Some of your fellow church members
• The people on your B.L.E.S.S. list
• Your country and her leaders
• Your community

After praying for these people, you may want to finish your devotion time with the Lord’s Prayer…

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and every. Amen.