5:1 “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.”

 

5:13-15 “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.”

 

Thank you, Lord, for our county and the freedom we have enjoyed from its beginning. Give our leaders wisdom and boldness to lead in years to come. May we as citizens do our part to pray, vote, and support peace. May more discover it starts and continues through You. Amen

 

For many Americans, July 4th is a time to reflect on God's goodness and the freedoms secured through the nation's history. It's a day to celebrate with family and friends while also acknowledging the sacrifices made for those freedoms. Some Christians find parallels between the nation's independence and their freedom in Christ, emphasizing the importance of using that freedom to serve others humbly. 

 

Our greatest independence came when Jesus set us free from sin and bondage spiritually. We take this opportunity to express our gratitude first for freedom in Christ. That is not just for personal benefit, but also calls believers to serve others humbly and sacrificially. 

 

When you first become a Christian God's approval is yours, because you are His. What a relief! Have you lost that sense of freedom in Christ? Paul tells us freedom disappears when you started believing people who want to form you to measure God's acceptance by external religious standards instead of by the cross. The harder you try the more you become tired and burdened. Are you in the right race? Is it to please others or to rest in the grace of Jesus?

 

Paul is declaring the race for “freedom in Christ” is on the track of grace not legalism. Those are the two tracks of religion. Man's way of doing righteousness and God's way of doing righteousness. God's way is by the Spirit of God living in our lives and our letting Him have control. Man's way is by our own wisdom, effort and rules.

 

Do not think your freedom lets you go and live in sin. I was never more aware of the burdens of sin than as a Seminary student taking an independent class with a Christian psychiatrist.  So many Christians were burdened with guilt from real and imagined sins that it affected them deeply emotionally and mentally. That is a burden that only God can free.

 

How do you evaluate your Christian race? Is it looking to Christ or others? We need the encouragement, prayers, and in cooperation with fellow “teammates”.

 

Continue to appreciate and celebrate freedom, not only as a citizen of our country, but more importantly as a citizen of the Kingdom of heaven.

 

Dale