Freedom in Christ

“So Christ has truly set us free.  Now make sure that you stay free and don’t get tied up again slavery to the law.”  (Galatians 5:1)
“I’ll say it again, If you are trying to find favor with God, by being circumcised, you must obey every regulation in the whole law of Moses.  For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ!  You have fallen away from God’s grace.  But we, who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us.  For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised.  What is important is faith expressing itself in love.” (Galatians 5:3-6)

Jesus Christ died to set us free from sin and a list of laws and regulations; however, He did not free us to do whatever we want because that would lead us back into our selfish needs. Thanks to our Lord, Jesus Christ, we are now accessible and able to do what was impossible and live our lives unselfishly. Circumcision symbolized having the right religious bloodline and fulfilling the formal religious requirements. Paul states that no amount of work, self-restraint, status, ritual, or moral behavior can earn our salvation. We are saved by faith, not by actions, entirely forgiven by God for our sinning.  When we receive God’s forgiveness, we soon begin to want to love others as he loves us. This includes forgiving others for their wrongfulness against us. “I tell you, her sins- and they are many- have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love.  But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” (Luke 7:47)

“And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long four our bodies to be released from sin and suffering.  We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us.  We were given this hope when we were saved.”  (Romans 8:23-24)

Our heavenly Father never makes promises He won’t keep. He has given us hope, but His plan will unfold according to His timing, and therefore, certain things take longer than expected. Rather than acting like anxious children waiting for God’s promises to be fulfilled, we should place our confidence in God’s current promises to bring good out of bad situations, to give us spiritual wisdom for daily living, and to nurture us with peace of heart and mind.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for everything you have done and everything you have provided for us. Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the freedom you provided for us. Please, Father, provide us with the wisdom and knowledge we need each day to make the right choices and follow the path you have chosen for us. Protect us from all evil and help us to make the right decisions.  Only you, Father, can show us the way and help guide us into your chosen path. Bless our children, our families, our pastor, and our church. Help us grow stronger in love and unity as we build a stronger foundation in your word. We ask you this Father, in the name of Jesus, Amen.