Back in the day, my high school’s motto was “Freedom with Responsibility.” As a kid, I interpreted that to mean that freedom was something to be earned. If you were responsible, you had freedom. And conversely, the more irresponsible you were, the less freedoms you were given. Home was just the same way. The more responsible I was, the more freedom I was given. So I obeyed the rules, did my school work, participated in after-school activities and in exchange, I was given “freedom!” Though, of course, when I broke the rules, my freedoms were curtailed… car keys were taken away, I wasn’t allow to talk on the phone, and weekends were spent in the house. So much for freedom.
You see, as children, we are dependent upon our parents. My parents could take my “freedom” away because – they owned the car, paid the phone bill, and put a roof over my head. As we grow older and become more responsible, we become more independent, right? But let me ask you this – if someone can take your “freedom” from you – in part or in total, are you truly free?
In the book of Galatians, we read Paul’s words of admonition to the church at Galatia. They had been set free by Christ, no longer needing to live in bondage to the law. They didn’t need to depend on the law anymore for remission of sins. Their trust shifted from “The Law” to Jesus Christ. But Satan got a foothold somewhere in Galatia and the lie was being spread that they needed to be circumcised. The Galatians were submitting themselves back under a part of the law, but Paul urged them…
“So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you
stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.”
Galatians 5:1
He warned them that if they wanted to fulfill the law with circumcision they had to obey ALL of the Law. If they wanted to trust and obey the Law, then there was no room for Jesus, no freedom through Christ for our sins. They didn’t understand that since Christ came the Law was completed…done. It was no longer the Law but Christ for redemption of sins. Paul shares:
“If you are counting on circumcision to make you
right with God, then Christ will be of no benefit to you.”
Galatians 5:2
In John 8:36 we read:
“So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.”
There’s no neutral ground when it comes to salvation, you’re either trusting only Jesus or you’re not. When you trust Him for your salvation, He gives true freedom. Freedom from Hell, but also freedom from doubts, and worries, and the cares of this world. Now THAT is freedom.
Where are you getting tied up in bondage? What are you depending on rather than Jesus? Where has Satan claimed a foothold in your life? If you’re trusting in Jesus for salvation then you should also be trusting in Him for EVERYTHING.
There’s an old hymn by Louisa Stead, Tis so Sweet To Trust in Jesus:
‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise, And to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er;
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! Oh, for grace to trust Him more!
God is calling you to live a life of freedom – true freedom. Freedom that doesn’t have to be defended in war, that can’t be curtailed, and can’t be squashed. It’s found in the unfailing love of his Son, Jesus Christ. Are you living in that freedom?
John 8:32 says:
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Still struggling with freedom? Ponder the question that Paul asked the church at Galatia:
“You were running the race so well. Who has
held you back from following the truth?”
Galatians 5:7
Find your Freedom, In Him
Meredith