Text: Galatians 5:1-13
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” – Galatians 1:1 (NIV)
Everyone that is in physical bondage desires to be free. The Bible speaks of the children of Israel who “sighed by reason of the bondage” (Exodus 2:23). To have liberty therefore is to be free from bondage or slavery, from servitude or from being under a yoke.
It is not only by reason of physical confinement that one can lose one’s liberty. The sinner is in spiritual bondage. “Whosoever committeth sin is the servant (slave) of sin” (John 8:34). He or she is under the dominion of sin, Satan, self and fear.
Consequently, he/she commits adultery and fornication; he/she steals and tells lies, smokes and drinks. He/she is covetous and malicious, engages in gossip and causes harm to others, etc.
In this state of sinfulness, the sinner may think that he/she is exercising his/her liberty to do what he/she likes. But when he/she comes to realize that these actions are not only antisocial but also displeasing unto God, he/she becomes weary and burdened with the guilt of his/her sins.
Yet, he/she finds that he/she still cannot free himself/herself neither is there any power on earth that can free him/her. No wonder the cry of his/her heart is: “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (Romans 7:24).
But only Jesus Christ can give true liberty: “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” for, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (John 8:36, Acts 4:12).
Jesus Christ is our divine Liberator, Saviour and Redeemer who ransoms us from spiritual bondage and captivity.
Through Christ’s death and resurrection, we have freedom from the power of sin and its pollution, from self-will, guilt and condemnation, fear of God’s wrath and of future judgment.
Our liberty through Jesus Christ enables us now to obey God from our hearts, live unselfish life, love God and our fellowmen with all our hearts, to please God not by keeping the law but by grace through faith.
This liberty enables us to have fellowship with God and the children of God, consecrate our lives, energy, time and talents to the service of God and helps us to live a life of holiness and righteousness.
True liberty is in Jesus Christ alone. Won’t you come and be saved and set free? Won’t you whisper from your heart: I yield?
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