“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 NLT
This powerful verse sets the stage for everything we are discussing this month: the freedom that only Christ can provide through His death, burial, and resurrection. It is the Gospel of Jesus Christ that sets us free. This liberty is not found in a church, a religion, or within ourselves. In Him, and in Him only, are we truly delivered from our past.
The Source of True Liberty
If we attempt to manufacture freedom on our own, we will remain bound and never be truly free. True freedom is not a reward to be earned; it is a gift from Christ that we receive through faith.
Scripture highlights this divine deliverance:
- Luke 4:18: The Spirit of the Lord is present to preach the gospel to the poor, heal the brokenhearted, and set at liberty those who are bruised.
- John 8:32: You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
- John 8:36: If the Son makes you free, you are free indeed.
It is easy to believe the lie that freedom is impossible because of future failures. While it is a biblical fact that even a righteous man falls, the miracle is that he gets back up. As we often say: “you don’t get good to get God, you get God to get good”.
Moving Beyond “Fabricated” Freedom
We often try to create our own versions of freedom through temporary fixes: earthly relationships, careers, success, possessions, or social media. Others imagine freedom means doing whatever they please without saying “no” to any desire. However, that is a shallow and misleading version of liberty.
True freedom is much deeper:
- It is being released from the burden of trying to earn your way to God.
- It is freedom from sin’s penalty, its power, and ultimately its presence.
- It is a release from the constant pressure to earn God’s approval.
Lessons from the Church at Galatia
When Paul wrote to the Galatians, he was speaking to people who had already experienced the Gospel. He had to remind them not to return to the law or religious rituals to find their worth.
Takeaways for Walking in Freedom:
- Freedom is a Completed Work: Freedom is not something we achieve; it is something Jesus already accomplished on the cross. When He said “It is finished,” the work was done for you and me.
- Freedom Must Be Guarded: The command to “stay free” implies that we can drift back into old patterns. We must stay alert because our enemy seeks to devour our progress.
- Grace vs. Legalism: Relying on outward actions or religious rituals to be right with God means you are not depending on Christ. Grace and works do not mix as a basis for salvation.
- Inside-Out Righteousness: Righteousness starts on the inside and produces fruit on the outside. We live for God outwardly because we are already saved, not in an effort to be saved.
Final Thoughts
Self-justification is spiritually dangerous. Trying to earn your salvation actually cuts you off from the very source of life: Jesus Christ. You are either trusting in God’s grace or your own effort.
Today, let go of the struggle to prove yourself and walk in the freedom Christ has already won for you.
