“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1
There I stood, tempted to fall back into an old way of responding. My husband had asked for grace, but all I wanted to do was, well, not offer grace. Have you ever had one of these pivotal faith moments with someone you love? A split-second decision can lead you to either fuel your flesh or find freedom in your faith.
Galatians 5:1 says, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”
Paul was writing to believers who were tempted to return to their old ways of faith, believing that their standing with God depended on legalism found in their ability to follow the law rather than finding freedom in their salvation in Christ. You and I may not struggle with the heavy weight of following Old Testament laws as they did, but if we’re honest, we can be bound by bitterness instead of grace, pride instead of humility, worry instead of faith, and control instead of trust.
But Jesus. He died so that we can live free, stand firm, and stay free. The joy of obedience breeds intimacy with the one who freed us. Our salvation has never been about earning freedom; it’s about receiving and walking in it.
That day with my husband, I had a decision to make. I could experience freedom by being obedient through extending grace, the same grace Christ extends to me, or choose to carry the heavy yoke of pride.
I will be the first one to tell you that I don’t always choose wisely in these tense moments! But that day, I chose to extend grace, and I couldn’t be more grateful. Freedom in Christ doesn’t mean we’ll never feel tempted to return to our old ways of thinking or reacting; it means we have the power, through the Holy Spirit, to choose obedience rooted in love, to stand firm in freedom, and to stay free.
Friend, is there something God is asking you to lay down so that you can live free and stay free today? Are there old ways of doing things that aren’t serving you anymore? In what areas do you need to stand firm?
Remember, obedience isn’t an obligation; it’s a segue into deeper intimacy with our heavenly Father, who has indeed set us free.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for providing a way for us to live free through Jesus’ death and resurrection, promising that whoever believes in Him will live. Forgive us when we are disobedient, and help us to see that true joy is found in faithful obedience to You. We love You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Want More?
Read John 8:31-36, then pause and reflect on this powerful verse. Think about things or circumstances in your life that cause you to feel heavy or bound. Maybe it’s someone else’s unforgiveness toward you that you can’t get past, your anxious thoughts, bitterness, or a situation you have no control over. Repent if you need to, then write this statement or speak it out loud: “Because of Christ, I am set free from _____.” Declare John 8:36 over your life as you pursue a life of faithful obedience.
