Freedom

Daily Reading:  Galatians 5-6

Scripture Focus: For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.  Galatians 5:1

Devotional Thought: Almost from the beginning of history, some form of slavery has existed.  In Galatians 5, Paul speaks of freedom in Christ.  He instructs the Galatians to “not submit again to a yoke of slavery,” (v1).  What is this slavery to which Paul refers?  Jesus answers plainly in John 8:34, “Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.”

Paul has much to say about this subject, and not just in this letter.  He knows that the human heart is bent towards legalism, towards religious activities that will save us from our sins.  In Paul’s days, this attitude manifested itself in the “circumcision sect,” those who would have the new believers follow the old Jewish law in order to be saved.  Paul argues, “If you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you,” (v2).  In other words, it’s either the grace of God through Jesus that saves you, or it’s your ability to adhere to the whole law.  The latter is impossible, and there is no middle ground.

Today, we see that the “circumcision sect” way of thinking is still alive and well.  We hear and are glad for the news of the gospel, yet we feel like we must somehow supplement his grace with our own atoning works.  This is heresy.  Nor should we accept the grace of God and abuse it, continuing in unrepentant sin – this is evidence that we never really knew Jesus (Matthew 7:23).  When we accept the grace of Jesus, we do so to the exclusion of all else.  We throw off the yoke of slavery to sin, but we take up another yoke.  We become “slaves of righteousness” (Rom 6:18), and the fruit we get “leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life,” (Rom. 6:22).

Jenny

Prayer:  Lord, you have created our hearts, and you know that we are inclined towards slavery.  Help us to realize our freedom in Christ, that we would happily become slaves to righteousness!

Psalm of the Day:  13 But they soon forgot his works; they did not wait for his counsel. 14 But they had a wanton craving in the wilderness, and put God to the test in the desert; 15 he gave them what they asked, but sent a wasting disease among them. 16 When men in the camp were jealous of Moses and Aaron, the holy one of the LORD, 17 the earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram. 18 Fire also broke out in their company; the flame burned up the wicked. (Psalms 106:13-18)