“In [this] freedom Christ has made us free [and completely liberated us]; stand fast then, and do not be hampered and held ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery [which you have once put off].”
Galatians 5:1 AMPC
Grace Perspective:
Freedom…free…in the context of this passage is not just a concept; it’s a profound reality. It means that those in Christ Jesus are truly liberated from the dominion of sin. Sin, which easily ensnares, has no power over us unless we stumble into the belief that we have to earn God’s favor. God’s grace breaks the bonds of a works-based religion and gives us faith. Faith in Christ’s righteousness, His perfect provision through the cross, has paid the total price for our sins, and we are free to live as children of God, trusting that He will give us strength to walk in the freedom He has given us.
A Touch of Grace:
What has God freed you from?
How do you walk in the freedom Christ has provided?
Grace Application:
Happy Fourth of July! As I prepared our devotional for today, the word freedom came to mind—no surprise since this is the holiday we celebrate our nation’s liberation from England. But the word freedom has a much deeper meaning in Scripture.
Christ’s sacrifice on the cross made a way for us to have complete and total freedom from the sin that hampers and ensnares us so quickly. Sin is sneaky; too often, we don’t see how it binds us and keeps us from the liberty the Lord wants us to know. Scripture tells us to stand fast and persevere against the strong pull of sin. It takes significant effort to turn from those habits, mindsets, and old patterns of living that have been our constant companions for as long as we can remember—turning aside from those means, we must hold fast to the truths in Scripture.
Knowing that Christ paid the price for our freedom and that He sits at the Father’s right hand, interceding for us (Romans 8:27), gives us strength to fight against the bondage of sin. Though we will continue to struggle with our sins, we can rest in knowing that we aren’t alone in this fight and that Christ has ultimately won the battle for us. One day, our faith in Christ will be made sight, and we will have complete and joyous freedom from all sin. Until then, let’s remain steadfast and call on the Lord to strengthen us to walk in the freedom Christ gives us.
Prayer:
Gracious Father, I come to you in the precious name of Jesus, thankful for my freedom because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Forgive me when I think I need to earn your favor. Help me to stand firm in the knowledge that Christ has set me free from the bondage of sin and to hold fast to the truths found in Scripture so that I walk the freedom Christ died for me to have. Amen
As you read this today, I want you to have the assurance that you are in Christ Jesus. Your current state is of utmost importance. If you have any doubts, I urge you to call upon God to erase them. Today is a significant day to be assured of your salvation in Christ Jesus. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at graceisdawning@gmail.com