Galatians 5:1
“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 NIV
President Ronald Reagan famously said, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.” His words have never been more poignant than right now. With freedom comes responsibility. Until we confront our issues, nothing can change. If we do not confront them, we will suffer the consequences of ignoring them. Today, God is willing to make an exchange with you. Your sadness for His joy, peace and freedom through Christ Jesus. We don’t have to wallow in the guilt and shame of our past. God has already freed us from it. We have freedom in Christ Jesus. He has set us free and completely liberated us from the clutches of sin. We no longer need to live under the old yoke of sin. Jesus has lifted that from us and set us free. We need to stand firm though, in this freedom. We shouldn't look at the world around us and become ensnared again by the yoke of sin that once enslaved us. We need to stand firm and keep on standing firm. But our freedom in Christ does not mean we are free to live as we please. We live according to the Spirit. We live clothed in Christ's righteousness. We realize that this is true freedom, it is not living to the flesh and pleasing our earthly appetites that only leads us into bondage. May we today claim the freedom we have in Christ and stand firm in it. Standing firm in the freedom of Christ, brings wholeness and liberty to our lives. Paul wrote to help the new believers keep their true freedom in Christ, freedom from trying to earn their righteousness through law-keeping. The law could not justify them before God. Only faith in Jesus offered them freedom to be all Christ had re-created by grace to be. They were God's children through faith, led by the Spirit to take on the character of Jesus. We, too, must realize that since we are God's children, we have been freed from law-keeping and sin because of our faith in Jesus and our participation with Him in baptism through faith. We must never return to justifying ourselves through works of any law, set of rules, or someone's religious expectation. To do so is to give up our freedom and return to the bondage. Paul begs us to rely on what Jesus did for us, not on works of the law. It is the cross of Christ and the empty tomb that liberate us from sin, death, and slavery to what cannot save us. Today, thank God for His incredible gift, Jesus and the freedom He has given us. Let go of past burdens, shifting your gaze from your shortcomings and faults, to God’s unending grace and mercy!!!
Father thank You for this day and that we have been set free by Christ and are no longer under bondage to the Law. Lord pour out Your abundant blessings over my friend and family today. Lord thank You that through the Holy Spirit's work within, we are enabled to live our lives for others and not for selfish inclinations. Lord continue to work in us and through us so that we may live a life that is pleasing to You and glorifying to Your Holy Name and keep us from falling back under bondage to legalistic practices, knowing that we have been set free by grace through faith in Your finished work on Calvary. Lord use my friend to be someone’s blessing today. Daddy we love You amen. Be a blessing. Love ya !
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