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.”

Freedom isn’t the belief that you can do anything you want. Whenever you want without anyone stopping you or putting limitations on you. This is not freedom. This is the new age belief that as long as you are happy, as long as you are not offending anybody or impeding on their rights to sin then it is freedom. But the production of sin and feeling good is not order, it is chaos. Before Jesus came into the world and hung on the cross, our sins were our slave masters. Our little white lies, our complaints, our fits of rage, our cussing, and sexual exploits were stacking themselves sky high. It was only a matter of time before we would face the Judge, God and become eternally separated from His presence. Thankfully, God’s love spared us this death we righteously deserved.

By dying on the Cross, Christ’s blood washes us clean of every black smudge or dirt stain hidden or in plain sight. This is freedom. To be removed from the guilt and plague of sin in our lives as the Holy Spirit lives in us, empowering us to walk in the light. Christ’s death and resurrection has set us free. So why live like unsaved, carnal Christians in 2017 or any year at all? Jesus has thrown off our shackles. Removing our bondages, completely. Yet we foolishly return back to the same slave masters that imprisoned us. We have been freed, on the other hand, our hearts and spirits have absorbed these truths. In 2016, so many of us walked and talked as if sin still cracked the whip in our lives, telling us when to eat and where to sleep and how to behave. Christ signed the release papers, our spirits cry out “Abba” but we are not living like freed people. Why?

Because we’re still holding onto things of the past, and reinforcing our former sin patterns. Yes, Christ crucified our fleshly bodies, but as saints we are not fulfilling our part of the covenant. The renewal process is not God’s own responsibility it is a joint process. Gal 5:1 says, “…Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Stand firm means to stand on the truths, stand on the commands of what God has told you to do. It means to actively obey, God’s instruction to “Not text your ex,” “Not watch worldly shows,” to “Not hang out with gossipy coworkers.” When we actively stand firm in God’s commands, refusing to “be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” to be pushed around by our fleshly impulses, or continue old habits, is when we finally experience freedom.  As God works on the onseen and unseen parts of our lives, we ourselves are responsible for obeying and applying the commands He told us. Yes, this process is uncofmfortable at first and it takes time but change is a real process. Aren’t you tired of not having a testimony to share? A vision that has manifested into reality due to God’s graces. If we desire permanent effects in 2017 it does not come over night but through perseverance and hardwork .

The wonderful news is such transformations are not impossible for God. God has miraculously and gloriously changed many sinners into godly workers of His kingdom. Your victory can happen-all it takes is obedience! 🙂

THINK ABOUT IT

1. How does a Christian not return to his or her former ways or the yoke of bondage? Read Romans 12:1-2.
2. How powerful is God’s Word and what power does God’s Word have that man does not? (Isaiah 55:11)
3. What are sins of the past Christ has released you from? And how can you continue to “Stand Firm” and avoid sinful situations? 

Dear Gracious Lord and Heavenly Father, Lord I don’t want to start off this year in bondage. I know some things will follow me into the new year, but give me the strength to cast off ungodly habits, sinful patterns, and people or things not beneficial for my growth. Freedom comes from walking by the Spirit, so help me not to return to my former ways and give me the courage to live my life anew. In Jesus name Amen.