Don’t Let Anyone Take Your Freedom

Paul says in 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."

The context of this verse is that Jesus, through his death and resurrection, freed the Jewish people from slavery to the law in seeking to become righteous (right with God, innocent before God, forgiven by God - Galatians 2:21).

In Galatians, Paul teaches that righteousness comes simply by grace through faith in Jesus and not by following the Law of Moses.

As a result, Paul exhorted the believers in Galatia to not let any leader or teacher convince them to return to the slavery of the law from which Jesus redeemed them.

What does this mean to us today?

First, we were never under the Law of Moses.

However, leaders, teachers, and pastors will seek to place others under a spiritual, denominational, or religious system by convincing them God's closeness and acceptance with God is dependent upon one's commitment to the system and practice of it, in addition to faith in Jesus.

They will also seek to convince people they must meet certain expectations, such as having daily quite times and continually confessing their sins if they are to be close to God and be in fellowship with God.

They are told they must have certain experiences to be assured of their salvation, such as speaking in tongues (Biblically, tongues was the ability to speak in other languages for the purpose of telling others about Jesus. - see Acts 1-2.)

These teachings put people under a yoke of slavery.

There is no freedom in these teachings.

A right relationship with God, closeness to God, and growing in your relationship with God is simple...by grace through faith in Jesus.

As you learn about the good news of God's grace freely, fully, and forever given to you in Jesus, you will find yourself growing in your relationship with God and experiencing closeness to him.

You will discover freedom.

As you enjoy your freedom through what Jesus did for you, don't let anyone, any teacher, preacher, or leader take your freedom from you as they attempt to get you under their system of expectations and experiences.

As Paul said, "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."