Week 6 - Freedom in Christ

Freedom in

Christ

Week 6 - Galatians 5

Galatians 5 tells us (in verse one) that “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.”

This freedom isn’t freedom from being enslaved on earth (though it certainly affects anyone who is physically enslaved). The book of Galatians explains the differences between salvation by grace in Jesus Christ and the Law.

Christians don’t have to keep the minutia of the Law in order to please God. God’s love for us isn’t dependent upon our perfect obedience or of simply following a set of rules. God’s favor upon us is because of what Christ did on the cross. Therefore, we are free.

That DOESN’T mean that we’re free to anything we want. There are guidelines God expects us to follow, so we don’t fall into sin. Jesus told the Pharisees that “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin” (John 8:34). Humans have a tendency to sin; we can’t escape this by ourselves. We need God’s help; after all, He disciplines those He loves (Hebrews 12:6). 

And freedom in Christ means that we no longer have to fear the end of this life. Rom. 6:23 “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Freedom in Christ frees us from those wages.

So, as John 8:36 tells us, “If the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.”

—Dennis Sellers

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“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.”

Galatians 5:1