Galatians 5:1 New International Version (NIV)
5 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.
Paul wrote to help the new believers keep their true freedom
in Christ: freedom from trying to earn their righteousness through law-keeping
(Galatians chapters 3 and 4). 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 (Galatians 2:14-16; 2 Corinthians 3:17-29). They were God's children
through faith, led by the Spirit to take on the character of Jesus (Galatians
5:16-27). 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 (Galatians 3:26-29; Romans
6:3-14; 1 Corinthians 15:3-7). 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.
Thought for today:
Am I rigid in my thinking and my ways?
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