Our Freedom in Christ
Our Freedom from the Law – Part II
Scripture Reading: Galatians 5:1-26
Key Verse: Galatians 5:4
You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.
I have heard stories of criminals who came to Christ, stood before a judge, and admitted all their crimes. They ended their confession by giving their testimony of how Christ has changed their life.
Sometimes the judge believed them and gave them their freedom with a second chance in life. And yet sometimes when a person has come to Christ under similar circumstances, they still served a prison sentence. These are examples of what God can do for anyone who believes in Jesus and repents of their sins.
God, the perfect Judge, knows the hearts of those that stand before Him. When we confess our need for God, He always forgives our debts; He sets us free!
In today’s Key Verse, the Apostle Paul told the Galatian believers that they cannot save themselves by trying to obey all the Jewish laws. Trying to do so ignores God’s grace.
When anyone tries to save themselves by any other means than Jesus, they alienate themselves from God.
I have walked with Jesus for many years and yet I still struggle, at times, thinking that I must earn God’s favor. When I have had a good day – meaning I had my prayer time, I read my Bible, and I have not failed Him in any obvious way – then I feel good.
But when I have not had such a good day and have failed Him in some way, I struggle to believe He loves me just as much as He loves me on my good days. I still must work at training my mind to trust in God’s grace and what Jesus did for me.
If you relate to this struggle, be sure to claim God’s grace when the evil one pours guilt and condemnation on you. Remember that there is no condemnation because you have accepted Jesus (Romans 8:1). Tell God that you trust His love and forgiveness despite your contrary thoughts and feelings.
Many things do not make sense to us sinful people even though God saves us by His grace. The good news is we do not have to understand it all, we simply must trust the Word of God in the Bible.
God says He loves you. God says He forgives your sins. God says nothing can separate you from His love. Tell yourself that you believe God, not any other voices.
Father, I may not feel loved all the time, but I claim Your love for me because I know that You never lie. Help me live by faith in every word You speak. In Jesus’s Name I pray, amen.