Day 3 of 7:

“Set Free for Freedom”

One of the assignments that I had to do at seminary involved writing a research paper. I remember this particular paper because I was very proud of my work when I turned it in. I had controlled the material, analyzed all of the possible idiosyncratic elements of the vicissitudes in the arguments.

However, when I got my paper back from my professor, there was a big, fat, red zero at the top, along with a smaller note at the bottom, “Tony, great work. Great preparation. Wrong assignment.”

It wasn’t that I hadn’t done great work; it was that I had done the wrong assignment. As a result, I didn’t get credit for what I had done. Christianity is no different. It’s not that there aren’t a lot of people doing a lot of excellent things like attending church, helping the hurting, or saying all the correct spiritual platitudes. It’s just that they’ve missed the cross. They’ve missed Jesus Christ – and wonder why they aren’t experiencing any victory, power, hope and authority.

This is because the rules of religion can get in the way of a relationship. These religious rules are called “legalism.” It measures your spirituality by your activity. You must always do more, be better, pray longer and work harder. The legalism list never ends because there is always something else to add.

Paul wrote stern words to those contemplating following the Judaizers religion in Galatians chapter five when he said, “It was for freedom that Christ set us free ….”

Prayer:

Lord, I choose to live in light of the freedom Christ died to provide. Thank You for setting me free from the rules of religion so I can serve You out of a heart of gratitude. In Christ’s name, amen.

Seek Him, Serve Others

The next time you are in a conversation with someone who seems to be struggling with a list of man-made rules, use the opportunity to share with them the truth of Christ’s redemption.

Look today for a way you can serve someone in your home or at work through a special gift. Use your freedom to impact someone else for good from a pure love for God and not obligation.

Galatians 5 King James Version

5 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

² Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.

³ For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

⁴ Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

⁵ For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

⁶ For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

⁷ Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

⁸ This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you.

⁹ A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

¹⁰ I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.

¹¹ And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.

¹² I would they were even cut off which trouble you.

¹³ For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

¹⁴ For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

¹⁵ But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

¹⁶ This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

¹⁷ For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

¹⁸ But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

²⁰ Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

²¹ Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

²³ Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

²⁴ And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

²⁵ If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

²⁶ Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.