Irvin Wasswa, Tylertown Campus Pastor LHBC
Galatians 5:1
For freedom, Christ set us free. Stand firm then and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery.
During my time in college I enjoyed most of the classes I took. There were a few though that were tough and then there was one or two that were a pain. One of those classes was Political Science. Whew, that class was a tough one. I struggled most of the semester. I remember thinking at times that the class was literally my worst nightmare. My goal of the class was to “survive and advance.” I remember finishing up my last final, seeing my final grade and thinking, “I AM FREE! I AM FREE!” See here was the thing, I had met all the requirements for the class and because of that I never had to go back to it again.
In Galatians 5:1, Paul is reminding the Christians in Galatia about this same reality in their lives concerning sin. At the time, there were false teachers who were going around in the region there and spreading false teaching concerning the Gospel. The message they were preaching was that one was to believe in Jesus AND follow the Old Testament Laws that were followed by their ancestors. It was truly then they would be real Christians.
Paul wrote the letter to correct them and remind them of the truth of the Gospel that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2). Listen there is no other name by which men are saved but Jesus (Acts 4:12). As a matter of fact, the Old Testament Laws are meant to be seen as a tutor to expose the reality of how we couldn’t measure up to God’s standard and how they need a Savior (Galatians 3). In chapter 5 Paul is highlighting the reality for all who are in Jesus: They are free. Free forever, and they do not have to go back to the bondage of sin!
Here is the marvelous truth for all of us here today: The child of God is free through the finished work of Jesus! Hallelujah! When you made the decision to repent (turn away) from your sins and trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life, you were freed from the bondage of sin (Romans 6). He removed those chains of addiction, of fear, shame, regret, anxiety! Jesus Christ is the instrument to your freedom.
As Christians we have been freed to walk in that freedom (Galatians 5:1a). This part is tough isn’t it? We still have this ol’ fleshly nature that tempts us; we’ve got the world and its many vices that tempts us to return to a place of bondage. Walking in the freedom we have in Christ is tough but you can do it in the Lord’s strength. Let me encourage you this morning to see that you can indeed stand firm in the freedom you have in Jesus and follow hard after Him. You can resist that temptation, say no to that sin that’ll so easily entangle you, and keep moving forward.
So what does that look like for you today? Run to the Lord today. Choose to die to yourself, take up your cross and follow Him. For He is good (Psalm 40) and that sin that seems so pleasing will only leave you in bondage once again. Listen, choose to stand firm and walk in the freedom you have in Jesus! Don’t go back!
PRAYER FOR TODAY: Dear Lord, thank you for your grace. Thank you for saving me and freeing me from the bondage of sin. I pray today that you would strengthen me to stand firm and not go back to being in bondage of sin. Remind me that you are better than what sin has to offer. In Jesus name.
Song of Worship for This Morning: I am Set Free- All Sons and Daughters
MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.