Galatians 5:1
KJV
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us fee, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
NKJV
Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
NIV
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.
Salvation, Christ's gift to us, is more than just a stairway to heaven, it's a "Get out of Jail Free" card.
Did you ever play Monopoly and whoop for joy when you got that card that set you free to keep on playing? Well, this card is once again Free, given undeservedly to each and every one of us who chooses to accept it.
But this is no ordinary jail we're talking about. Do you realize how sin snakes its little tentacles around us and binds us with guilt when we know we've done something wrong? Whether a simple lie or something greater, they all hurt, not just the person we sin against, but ourselves...and God.
Well, Christ has given us a free pass, not from sinning, but from the entanglement that sin brings. It's a freedom to find forgiveness when we fail. There's no need to flounder in the guilt...or to wallow in the sin. If we but ask, Christ will guide us away from the temptations we find hardest to evade.
So stand fast, and lean on Christ, the One who truly can set you free.
Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI was raised in a very legalistic denomination. It basically made it seem that Jesus didn't pay it all, he put down a hefty downpayment for us. ;) Freedom, for me, is such a deep and beautiful theme. When you realize what it really IS, it leaves you soaring!
ReplyDeleteGod bless you, Patty, and yes, He already has!
DeleteLove it, Donna! So true, so beautifully true! Patty, I was raised in a very strict fundamentalist denomination as well. Spiritual freedom, while wonderful and hopefully appreciated by all Christians, somehow has a special, "extra" beauty for those delivered from spiritual slavery.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, Donna!
My pleasure, Delia, God laid it on my heart this morning in that way of His.
DeleteThanks for stopping by!
Thanks Donna, so very encouraging.It is so easy to go backwards instead of forging a path ahead. We need to keep our eyes on the last chapter of the book.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! He always wins! And all I can say is Thank God! God bless you, Sharon, thanks for stopping by.
DeleteIt's always a blessing to be reminded that Jesus paid it all.. And it's not based on my performance. Knowing, that even when I find myself drifting away, He always speaks to me softly to remind me He is there right by my side waiting for me to look to Him and walk beside Him again.
ReplyDeleteThanks Donna :)
Cindy D.
Amen! His faithfulness is astounding!
Deletegreat That is really ridiculous. There are too many ways that marketing has gone .
ReplyDelete