Dan’s Bible Fellowship Class

I suppose the combination of the July 4th holiday being on the horizon combined with the events in Iran have caused me to think a lot lately about being free.  We talk about our freedoms and whether (or to what extent) they are being eroded by the current politics in the US.  So my mind has been digesting the news, comments and conversations in which I’m engaged.

This morning as I sat down for my quiet time “Galatians 5” jumped into my mind.  I’m not sure why this occurred since I usually begin my time in Proverbs and go from there.  So I turned immediately to the 5th chapter of Galatians.  The heading for the chapter (added by the editors) is “Christian Liberty.”  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.”  (emphasis mine).

I was a little bit shocked.  I’m ruminating over the thoughts I’m having about being free and here comes the call by Paul to be careful lest you become “entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”  What’s Paul talking about here?  He’s not talking politics.  He’s not talking finances.  (I want to talk a little about those when time allows.)  We have in this circumstance those that are trying to convince the believers in Galatia to go back to trusting in the Law and outward signs of belonging to God.  Over at verse 21 he says, “Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the Law?”  He then reviews the history of Abraham, Hagar and Isaac (how timely).  He challenges the Galatians not to hold on to the Law (which they simply cannot uphold) but which is more easily accepted because a person can “touch” and “feel” some of its signs, i.e. circumcision and celebrations.    He warns against taking up circumcision as a means of adhering to the Law.  The warning here is not about a physical event (circumcision) but instead is warning the Galatians to be very careful where they put their trust.

This warning is ringing in my ears.  I’ve highlighted specific words in Galatians 5:1 to draw attention to them.

Stand fast: Hold fast to whatever it is that I believe is true and upon which I can base my life.  That’s Jesus!  Nothing more and nothing less.  I’m reflecting on my life.  Do my actions, my daily living provide a testimony that I am “standing fast” or “holding firm” on the foundation of my complete trust in Jesus Christ for my every need?  Are there times that my confidence is shaken by financial difficulties?  Are there times that my strength of being is rocked by a personal failure of someone on whom I have invested my trust?  My mind is racing; God is causing me to examine who I really am.

[T]herefore in the liberty:  The freedom, i.e., the right and ability to choose.  Understand that liberty as used here is a reminder that Christ has set us free from the shackles of an unfettered draw to sin.  No doubt we may still sin from time to time, but the freedom we enjoy because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is that we are not constantly involved in having our own way, but instead seek His way; a way that would be pleasing to the King of Kings.

[The Liberty we have] is because “Christ has made us free”

and [WARNING, WARNING, WARNING]  do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”    The caution here is to beware of taking on what you don’t need and becoming saddled with all of the attachments that come along with it.  For me, this warning is about where am I placing my trust.  Where do I get my confidence or my strength?  Is it my financial successes? Those can soon fall away.  Is it my stature in the community?  People are truly fickle, stature can evaporate pretty quickly.  Is it perhaps my position in the church?  Nuff said!

Some of the Galatians were ready to sign up to the back under the law simply because it was (1) familiar; and (2) something evidenced by out ward signs.  Paul warns us to beware.  Christ has freed me from the inside out.

Query:  Am I willing to trust Christ, or do I look for some of the other outward, easily identifiable source?

Thank you Paul; Thank you Jesus!