In his letter to the Galatians 5:1, Paul wrote, “So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.” (New Living Translation)
The New American Standard Bible translates it this way: It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
For freedom.
Freedom is God’s plan for us, and he sent Jesus to effect that plan. We know he came to save us, but what did he save us from? Slavery, that’s what. He came for freedom. Freedom its ownself. Freedom is the goal, the product. When Jesus said, “It is finished”, he meant we could be free.
Like the children of Israel who wished they could go back into slavery in Egypt, we often desire slavery over freedom. We can be enslaved by so many things: public opinion, church rules, addictions of all kinds, and just plain sin of any kind. But Christ has set us free. For freedom.
Let us not get tied up again in slavery.
The relative freedom that citizenship in a certain nation can afford is not nearly as exciting as the freedom that Christ brings to us. As I celebrate freedom this weekend, it is the freedom from slavery that Christ has given to me that I will be celebrating.
Will you join me? Let freedom ring.
Great post!! I heard an interesting statement recently. I don’t remember who made it, now, but it went something like this…When given the choice of freedom or security, 90% of the people will choose security. How many times in life have I seen this to be true?
Patriotism is one thing. I love my country and the history that brought it together, but since my career path has turned to full time missions in another country, freedom has a more Biblical meaning that transcends all cultures. Too many missionary movements included converting people to American and English cultures, not sharing the Gospel of Christ. Freedom from the burden and consequence of sin is the true definition and that can only be found in the person of Jesus Christ.