Freedom in Christ

Galatians 5:1

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. (NKJV)

For freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage (ASV)

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. (NIV)

Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you. (The Message)

IN [this] freedom Christ has made us free [and completely liberated us]; stand fast then, and do not be hampered and held ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery [which you have once put off]. (Amplified)



The book of Galatians was written by Paul as a letter of confrontation. This is the only epistle of Paul where he does not affirm anything or anyone as he begins the letter. He was writing to a group that was fast taking their eyes away from Grace to affirm works towards salvation. Paul writes to them and calls them foolish because they have allowed themselves to be deceived into adding to the Gospel that was being preached thus taking away its power.

Coming back to the key verse, there are 3 underlying messages in this power packed verse.

1. Christ has set us free

2. Stand fast

3. Do not be entangled in the yoke of bondage / slavery

For today we are going to focus on the freedom that we have through Christ. All Indians across the world celebrated Independence day yesterday. Facebook statuses were updated with Proud to be Indian statements. India put a display of its power, culture and unity to the world. But are we free today?

A lot of people do not understand freedom. As we read, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free”. To receive freedom, we must know a few things:

1. What have we been freed from?

2. How have we been freed?

3. Why have we been freed?

One reason many have never realized their bondage to sin may seem very paradoxical, but it is, nevertheless, very true. It is because they have never tried to get free. There is a yard where a dog is heavily chained. The dog, however, is fast asleep, and so he does not realize his bondage. Later on we may even notice the dog eating his food, still chained, but as the food is close to the kennel his chain is not irksome, and he is thus still unconscious of his bondage. But soon comes the owner of the dog, who, forgetting the chain, calls the dog. The animal springs up, eager to reach his master. What happens then? All his efforts are vain, and now for the first time he feels the irksomeness and restraint of his fetters. It is exactly similar with sin. Try to get free, and you feel your bond¬age.—Dr. W. H. Griffith Thomas.

Jesus, while speaking with the Pharisees in John 8:32-34, tells them that the Truth shall set them free. But we see that their immediate response is “We are Abraham’s offspring and have not been in bondage”. But Jesus, with pity I should imagine, tells them whoever commits and practices sin is a slave of sin.

1. Bound by our sins – Soul

Titus 3:3 – For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.

When we turn ourselves away from our Creator and His purposes for our lives, we submit to the devil whose sole aim is to “…steal, kill and destroy” . He makes sin attractive, Sin is conceived in the soul and manifests itself physically. Our carnal man fed and strong on the things of the world inclines to a path of destruction. We want to come out of it but don’t know how. We satisfied that craving under the assumption that we are in control. Now it has overcome us. As Paul puts in Romans “…that which I want to do, I do not do but I do the things I do not want to do…Oh wretched man that I am”

2. Bound by the World – Body

2 Peter 2:19 – “… for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage”

There is a world out there sucking millions of our brothers and sisters into a black hole of poverty, sickness, unhappiness, worry, brokenness. We were part of the whirlwind too. Matthew 13:22 warns us of the “…cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches” that chokes the word and makes us unproductive. Have you seen the destruction around us as humanity destroys itself through hatred and envy? Man is discontent and has given himself to greed that he values no more the one thing that holds true value – the Kingdom of God. There was a time when God provided for his children before the credit cards, there was a time when businesses ran successfully without mobiles and the need for 24/7 connectivity, there was a time when families sat together for worship. With all the knowledge and advancement, we have crossed the line from sanity to insanity, as we ignore eternity to run behind “survival”

Today let us think what is robbing our time? What is destroying our families? If our minds are not set on things above, what occupies it? If our hearts are not in the Kingdom of God, where is your treasure? For that which has overwhelmed you has brought you into captivity.

3. Bound by fear – Spirit

Romans 8:15 - For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”

1 John 4:18 says “Fear involves torment”. Look around you. Governments control us by instilling fear of terrorism, employers torment their subordinates by threatening to fire them if you don’t dance to their beats, religion binds you through fear of spiritual and physical repercussions if not submitted to ungodly traditions.

What is your fear today? Are you shivering before the ones who can only afflict your body or do you stand in reverant awe of the One who saves you soul?

So how are we freed?

1. By the redemptive work on the Cross, where His strength helps us in our weakness

Titus 3:4-6 - But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to His mercy he saved us through the washing and regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.

We see that our redemption was a joint effort by our Father, our Savior and our Guide, the Holy Spirit. The price was immense. God had to turn His face (Matthew 27:46) from His beloved Son (Matthew 3:17) because He is a just God and had to punish the Lamb on whom the sins of the world was laid (Isaiah 53:4-7)

2. By the restoration of relationship with God that elevates us from this worldly realm to establishing God’s Kingdom in our daily living

We have been freed from the power of the World by the resurrection power of the Holy Spirit into a new hope in Christ.

Ephesians 2:19 – Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.

John 15:19 – Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you

1 Corinthians 2:12 - Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.

Colossians 3:1-3 - If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

3. By the revelation of God’s love and grace

2 Timothy 1:7 - For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind

Hebrews 13:6 – So we may boldly say: The Lord is my Helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?

1 John 4:18 - There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear

Why are we set free?

1. To bear fruit - Romans 6:22 - But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.

2. To restore more people to a relationship with their God – 1 Corinthians 9:19 - For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 2 Corinthians 5:18 &19 - Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation

3. To proclaim God's praises – 1 Peter 2:9 - But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light

It does not matter whether you are bound or free. God’s promises are true. Today if you accept him, irrespective of your circumstances, you can receive the freedom in Christ.

Let me leave with you this poem that Madame Guyon wrote while in prison in France for her Saviour's sake. This cultured, refined, educated, and (until smitten with smallpox) exceedingly beautiful woman spent ten years of her life in different French prisons from 1695 to 1705. Here are her words:

"My cage confines me round;

Abroad I cannot fly;

But though my wing is closely bound

My heart's at liberty.

My prison walls cannot control

The flight, the freedom of the soul.

"Oh, it is good to soar

These bolts and bars above,

To Him whose purpose I adore,

Whose Providence I love;

And in Thy mighty will to find

The joy, the freedom of the mind."

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.

God Bless!