Be Free in Jesus

Galatians 5:1, 4-6 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…4 You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5 But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
 
 WHAT does it mean to be free in Christ? How does this affect the way you live each day?        
    Understanding your freedom through Jesus begins with knowing God’s love. The apostle John clearly defined Jesus’ freeing love with one sentence: 1 John 3:16a This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. When we know what love is, we will know we can stand firm in God’s redemptive love to sacrifice Jesus on the cross.
    The Jews were trapped in the old covenant of circumcision. This was necessary for a time as God created a pathway to his promised redemption of Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”  Jesus came to crush Satan’s head – his authority. And Satan would strike Jesus’ heel at the cross. God’s plan began with the circumcision covenant. It ws fulfilled with Jesus’ freedom-giving new covenant the night before the cross: Luke 22:20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”  The cross replaced the circumcision knife that locked the Galatians to the law that no longer applied. Faith in Jesus’ blood that has poured out for you is now sufficient to free you from sin’s curse. Confess your sin. Confess Jesus is your risen Lord and Savior. That is enough.  
    With unending mercy and love, Jesus’ new covenant frees you from sin’s afflictions. For example, obeying Jesus’ commands we are free of guilt and a vengeful spirit when we forgive others. Hatred cannot bind us when we model Jesus’ “Good Shepherd” love to protect and guide one another. Pride does not insist on selfish desires when we freely humble our hearts and put others above ourselves. Jesus-like submission frees us from a controlling spirit. Free from envy, we will be content with the Lord’s provision for our lives. Free from fear, our faith will give rest to our souls. Freedom in God’s gospel opens our lives to receive the fullness of Jesus’ love for us.
    That’s why Paul’s heart was breaking for the Galatians. They had confessed Jesus as Savior. Then they rejected Jesus’ new covenant to insist on keeping the old covenant. The old covenant alienated them from Christ. It is as if the Jews had been led to the Promised Land, but they refused to cross the Jordan to possess it. God’s salvation pathway had led them to Jesus. But they refused to follow the way, the truth and the life.   
    Is there any rule or any sin keeping you from Jesus’ freedom? Are you focused on what you must do or on what Jesus has done for you?