Your Freedom in Christ!
“We have freedom now, because Christ made us free. So stand strong in that freedom. Don't go back into slavery again.”
Galatians 5:1 (ETRV)
Who would ever want to go back to slavery again? It almost goes without saying, doesn’t it? Then, why would the Apostle Paul write such a command to the Galatians? He admonished them, “Don’t go back into slavery again.” It’s almost like they had a choice. They did, and so do you and me. We can live in the freedom now that we have in Christ who made us free, or we can go back to our slavery to sin! Are you standing strong in your freedom in Christ? If not, the temptations of this world, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life can lure you back into slavery to sin before you know it! That’s a warning. Don’t let it happen. It didn’t work for you before, and it won’t work again. It’s a trap. What’s fascinating to me about this snare is that it isn’t as obvious as the wrong things we’ve done in the past that enslaved us. It can be the subtle pride of thinking that I can live the Christian life apart from His power. In Galatians chapter three, Paul writes: “You began your life in Christ with the Spirit. Now do you try to complete it by your own power? That is foolish. You have experienced many things. Were all those experiences wasted? I hope they were not wasted! Does God give you the Spirit because you follow the law? Does God work miracles among you because you follow the law? No, God gives you His Spirit and works miracles among you because you heard the message about Jesus and believed it.” Galatians 3:3-5 (ETRV)
How do you stand strong in the freedom you have in Christ? Rely on His power 24/7! Put your faith in His presence and power to accomplish His will. Religion likes to add the word do to done! At the cross, Jesus said, “It is finished!” All that was needed to make us right with God was done at Calvary! Now, risen from the dead, Jesus comes by the Holy Spirit to empower us to live a quality of life that has no other explanation but Christ in us! The Bible says, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36 (ESV)
Have you been set free of the hurts, habits, and hang-ups in your life? Jesus died and rose again that we may have freedom NOW! I love the way Paul put it in the first part of our key passage:
“We have freedom NOW, because Christ made us free.”
Break free from the shackles of sin! You don’t have to be a slave anymore! Give your life to Christ, who paid for your sin. He can redeem your life so that you can be made right with God! Once you’ve been made free, stand strong in that freedom. Don’t go back into slavery again! Whether it’s the temptation of an old sin or the deception of thinking you can live the Christian life in your own power. Refuse to let those traps ensnare you! Your freedom was won in Christ and must be maintained in Christ.
Another important part of your daily devotional is spending time with God in prayer. The Woodlands Church Prayer Board lists prayer requests submitted by our members and provides a way to send them some encouragement by using a button on the page to let them know that you prayed for them. Whether you use the Prayer Board, or pray from your heart, the goal is to build the habit of incorporating prayer into your quiet time.
Need prayer yourself? Let us know by submitting a prayer request on the Woodlands Church Prayer Board.