Key Verse: “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.”
(Galatians 5:1)
** Defining “Freedom”
Freedom is NOT:
o License
o Autonomy▪ 1 Peter 2:16 – “Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.”
▪ Quote: “Freedom from the law means freedom from moralism, from self-lordship before God in the guise of serious and obedient responsibility.”
o Self-Determination...
▪ Quote: “We achieve self-control by letting ourselves be controlled.”
Freedom IS:
o Discovered in Truth
▪ Jesus said (John 8:32) – When we hold to his teachings...“Then you will know thetruth, and the truth will set you free.” o Release from the domination of Sin
▪ Romans 6:18 – “You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.”
o Power to Choose
▪ Reject the things that lead us away from God ▪ Embrace the things that connect us with God
• Romans 6:22 – “Now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.”
** Bottom Line: Freedom is a lifestyle choice.
2 Corinthians 3:17 – “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
Peter in Acts 15:10 – “Why are you now challenging God by burdening the Gentile believers with a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors were able to bear?” (NLT)
Matthew 11:28-30 – Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Galatians 5:1-6
Strategy 1 – “Stand Firm”
“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.” - Galatians 5:1
** “Stand Firm” (Gk: steko) – this first COMMAND demands that we stay focused and strong.
• 1 Peter 5:9 – “Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family
of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.”
Point: To live in Freedom is to live Resolutely in the Grace of God.
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Hebrews 12:2
Strategy 2 – “Do not be enslaved/yoked”
• A Better translation than the NIV’s would read, “...never again yoke yourself as a slave...”
You are saying Jesus’ sacrifice was worthless (v. 2)** Consequences of Re-Enslavement to the Law (5:2-4)
You are subject to the Law as a means of salvation (v. 3)...this makes salvation impossible.
You alienate yourself from Jesus (v. 4a)
You “fall away” from grace (v. 4b)
** Benefits of Standing Firm in Grace (5:5-6)
Benefit 1 - Genuine Reason for Hope
v. 5 – “But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope.”
Benefit 2 - Meaning
v. 6 – “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”
** So...How do you know if you are living in Freedom?
The answer: love - v. 6 – “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” o 2 Corinthians 5:14 – “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one
died for all, and therefore all died.”
But there are other signs...
o We express freedom in service, in yielding our lives to the divinely demanded righteousness of love of God and neighbor (Romans 6:18ff.).
o Being free, we accept civil obedience (Matthew 17:24ff; 1 Peter 2:13ff.).
o We forego our “rights” or “privileges” for the sake of helping others (1 Corinthians 9:19).
o We live fully for God wherever we are living (1 Corinthians 7:20-24)
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