Passage: Galatians 5:1-15
Point
1. For freedom Christ has set us free, so we should stand firm and not commit to the yoke of slavery.
2. If we accept certain rules rather than Living by grace we will have to keep the entire law because only “faith working through love” counts when it comes to Christ.
3. We have been called to freedom and we are not to use this freedom for the flesh, but through love we are to serve one another. The law is summed up in”love your neighbor as yourself”.
Personalize
We have been set free in Christ and for freedom we have been given this abundant life. If we are free, why then do we seek to be enslaved again by religious demands and personal efforts? The gospel is simple, “trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved”. It does not say do something to become more religious. It simply says trust and place our faith solely in Christ. Paul is disturbed at the brothers who have been set free in Christ, but they use this opportunity to enslave others by religious duty and qualifications like circumcision. He lets them know if you require circumcision then you are required to keep the whole law which is impossible.
To be free is a great place to be. Free from obligation of service yet free to choose to love the Lord with “all our heart, soul, mind, and strength”. We are not bound by the law and the impossible demands of the requirements, but Jesus has overcome them all. Through Adam came the unrighteousness, death, and condemnation, but in Christ we are free and He has clothed us in his righteousness. We have a choice. We can live by works and always fall short or we can resign from our efforts and place our faith solely in Christ and receive what we are in need of, forgiveness and life.
Prayer
Lord, may I live by faith and place my trust in the righteousness of Christ. May I walk in freedom and not return to a life of enslavement.
