It Was for Freedom
.
It Was for Freedom
People love to make up rules and traditions. In some ways, doing the same thing repeatedly in the same way seems comforting and can make them feel like they are a part of a group. Being able to follow all the rules makes one feel good about themselves.
Laws are necessary for traffic and many other aspects of life — but people tend to enslave themselves to rules that are not necessary and are not from God. The New Testament gives many instances of this enslavement.
For example, the Jews were often startled to see Jesus “break the Sabbath” by healing people, letting His disciples husk wheat to eat on a Sabbath, telling a healed man to carry his bed on a Sabbath, etc.
In each instance, something good and wonderful had happened, but it seemed to be breaking Jewish traditions and interpretations of keeping the Sabbath. Jesus was criticized for doing something good, instead of obeying the Sabbath law to refrain from working.
In each case, Jesus taught us that doing something good and in love is a God-pleasing way to truly keep the Sabbath law — ”Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” Exodus 20:8 The day of rest was meant to honor the LORD. Doing good and showing love truly honors our Lord.
So we have a freedom in Christ to always do good and to show love for God and for our fellow mankind — no matter when that might be. That is why Paul tells us in Galatians 5:1,
It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
The point is that we are to never fall into the trap of thinking that following all sorts of rules and traditions will get us into heaven. No matter how well we keep all sorts of laws, we cannot earn our own salvation. We must trust in the grace of God to take us into heaven.
So, when Paul speaks to those Galatians who felt they had to earn their way into heaven, he says in Galatians 5:4,
You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
That is a frightening truth. All those who think they will work their way into heaven are cutting themselves off from the power of God to save them. They are refusing to trust in God’s word — refusing to trust the Savior who had been prophesied down through the ages — refusing to accept God’s free gift of love.
Who are we to say we can do things better than the LORD God Almighty?
If heaven is our goal, we need to humbly trust in the grace of God to make us pure and holy through Jesus Christ, our Lord. God has proven that He can be trusted to keep His word.
As we find our freedom in Christ, we can say, ”Hallelujah! Jesus has shown us the way of salvation through faith in His work of love on the cross.”
Love,
Margaret
.
A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and GOD of gods.
Pray for our country.
**************
.
The LORD made this day, let us rejoice and be glad in Him.
Psalm 118:24
.
The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 18:30
.
Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming to the upright.
Psalm 33:1
.
How blessed are those who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4
.
Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13
.
O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1
.
Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3
.
**************
.
Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12
.
…………
.
.
.
.
Comments are closed.