It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

                                                                                                               Galatians 5:1

Freedom, it’s what everyone is seeking, freedom from guilt and shame, freedom from the past and confidence about the future. The ability to live everyday with vim and vigor is exactly what freedom brings. Paul reminds us that freedom is the reason that Christ set us free. But as with all freedom, it comes with a price.

Paul’s next declaration is to stand firm in that freedom and not to be brought back into a yoke of spiritual bondage (the theme of Galatians). You may be tempted to think that the “yoke” Paul refers to is sin, but that is not at all what he is referencing here. He is talking about a yoke of religious bondage that comes from a legalistic approach to the Christian life, something that there is no shortage of in this world. The declaration of the gospel will not only set people free but will dismantle the religious, intellectual argument that the Law plays any role in spiritual freedom. Consider the declaration of the good news:

Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him (Jesus) forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and through Him (Jesus) everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses.

                                                                                                                   Acts 13:38-39 

As believers, we have to stand firm against the bondage that works-related doctrines bring into the life of the believer. Freedom comes to those who realize that eternal life and an escape from condemnation is found only in what Christ has already accomplished on their behalf.

Religious yokes are heavy, condemning, and usually revolve around guilt and shame. These yokes often bring uncertainty and can lead to depression and despair. The yoke of Jesus is easy, pleasurable, kind, and light (Matthew 11:30). It promotes spiritual life and health. Christians should assume that they will face persecution, but not from God Himself. The difficulties that the Christian life brings are from the enemy, the accuser of the brethren. Depression, despair, doubt, fear, uncertainty, spiritual weakness, guilt, and shame are all tools at the enemy’s disposal. Religious yokes merely add to the destructive power already being wielded by the devil. Christ died to set us free from all of this.

This is not a freedom to live however we desire (Galatians 5:13) rather this freedom releases believers from any condemnation (Romans 8:1) and empowers them to love each other and the world around them (Galatians 5:13). I wonder how many Christians truly live in absolute, total spiritual freedom? What if the church went into celebratory mode every time they got together? What if a watching world saw nothing but joyful Christians living in absolute spiritual freedom? Would this make a difference in how the world perceives God and how they respond to the gospel? It was for freedom that Christ set us free!

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 

                                                                                                       2 Corinthians 3:17