For Freedom, Set Free

Galatians 5:1 is one of my all-time favorite verses in the Bible. It has had new meaning and importance to me in a variety of seasons and scenarios so far in life, and I am sure there is only more to come. I would like to do a quick look at this verse today.

"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." (NIV)

In context, Paul is writing to the church at Galatia and encouraging them to resist the temptation to continue to feel conscripted by the old traditional Jewish law. Not to oversimplify, but I think that the essence of what he's saying here is plainly spoken in the verse.

It is easy to fall into old patterns - old habits, old attitudes, old idols, old withholding, old fear. You name it. But this verse reminds us that we can fall back into those old strongholds and that, when we do, it's a burden akin to the yoke of slavery.

And Christ, my friends...He has set us free. Free. No less. Completely free.

So, stand firm. Fight the temptation to get lazy; resist the devil's whisper that just a little bit of this or that in your heart won't hurt. Stand firm. And be free.