You’re Free: Why Choose Bondage?
Galatians 5:1-4 “Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your
stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you. I am emphatic
about this. The moment any one of you submits to circumcision or any other
rule-keeping system, at that same moment Christ’s hard-won gift of freedom is
squandered. I repeat my warning: The person who accepts the ways of
circumcision trades all the advantages of the free life in Christ for the
obligations of the slave life of the law. I suspect you would never intend
this, but this is what happens. When you attempt to live by your own religious
plans and projects, you are cut off from Christ, you fall out of grace.” (MSG)
Many of us like the Galatians have accepted the gift of salvation, but have
fallen to false teachings about salvation. Paul within the context of Galatians
is writing to the church of Galatia warning them to not accept the teaching of
the Judaizers. The Judaizers believed that and stressed to the Gentiles that
they must become a Jew (circumcision) before accepting salvation offered by
Christ. Paul is saying to us that through Christ dying on the cross, we are not
subject to the law in order to see heaven. The only way to see heaven is
through unwavering faith in Him. Paul is saying, why have allowed yourselves to
fall back into bondage when Christ has already freed you. In Christ is the only
true freedom. There are no subtle ways to obtain the favor of God. We cannot
get to heaven by just obeying the laws set forth over the land. Living morally
isn’t enough. In verse 3, Paul says that
those who accept the ways of circumcision become slaves to the lifestyle of
that law. Deuteronomy 27:26 says that “Cursed is everyone that continueth not
in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them” Paul quotes
this in Galatians 3:10 to show that the law cannot justify and save us- it can
only condemn us. Everyone in their lifetime has broken the commandments.
According to early biblical law, this would result in being cursed and there
was no way to reverse it. That meant that we would be destined for eternal damnation.
The great thing is Christ took on the curse of law on the cross and freed us.
When we fight so hard to be accepted of the world or the world’s system, we
enslave ourselves. See, the Gentiles felt that circumcision would bring
acceptance. For so long they were cast off and treated harshly. They were told
they would never receive God’s inheritance because they were not his “chosen
ones”. This was not of God. God through his crucifixion brought unity. I say to
you, this world’s system is not designed to get you to heaven; rather it is
designed to bring separation and bondage. You are God’s elect. You belong to an
even greater “in crowd” than this world has. No one can serve two masters the
bible says. What you preoccupy yourself with, is what’s become Lord over you. The question is: Is it God? Stand on your
faith in Christ. You’ve already received freedom through Christ. There is
nothing more that you need. God Bless
you!
Minister Kenneth Scott, Jr.
Victorious Faith Christian Center
Very good post, however think one must read Gal and especially Jesus’ words carefully when balancing grace and the law. Jesus fulfilled the law… I firmly believe as Christians today we should accept grace but realize the law is meant to be a blessing to us if followed. For example, we know today that their are medical benefits to circumcision and other God-given laws. I man has made laws a burden and that was not God’s intent. Jesus often gave the ‘spirit’ of the law and not just the letter.