Free from Religious Bondage

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

Some of us find it hard to give ourselves permission to think, say, or enjoy certain things because we fear others will disapprove. We live by their convictions instead of our own. There’s no bondage like religious bondage! A Christian author writes: ‘The church I grew up in taught that we couldn’t go to the movies or a soccer match (mixing with the world), or ladies wear makeup. Our standard answer to most of these issues was, “We were taught differently!”’ Such is the reasoning of a conscience raised in the school of tradition. Paul came down hard on the Galatians for trying to police people’s lives and forcing them to live by Jewish traditions instead of the Gospel of grace. He wrote, ‘Make sure…you stay free…don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law’ (v. 1). Train yourself to worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks. In reality, what upsets some religious folks is that you can do certain things they can’t – because they can’t give themselves permission to enjoy their freedom in Christ (see Galatians 2:4). Now, we’re not condoning sin or unscriptural practices. But if you don’t move when the light is green, you’ll spend your life waiting for ‘the right moment’ or ‘a time when most people will understand’ before you move forward. And you’ll end your life looking back with regret. Don’t let that happen to you. ‘Christ has truly set us free…make sure that you stay free.’

Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for setting me free – free from the things that put me in bondage. Let me use my freedom to serve You! In Jesus’ Name, Amen