Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. Galatians 5:1-4
Stand fast—Paul was saying here, “Stay where you are!” Because of the benefits of being free from law and the flesh as a way of salvation and just rest in the fullness of blessings by grace. Now in the fifteenth chapter of the Book of Acts, this same issue had arisen in Antioch, for there were certain men, from Jerusalem who were saying to the Gentile converts, “You cannot be saved unless you are circumcised and keep the law of Moses.” Christ has made us free—Deliverance from the curse of the law pronounces to those who have been striving unsuccessfully to achieve their own righteousness, but now through the hearing of the gospel, have embraced Christ and the salvation granted to them by grace, and grace alone. Now let us not think or ever believe that because of this liberty that we have, is the liberty to do anything we might want to do in the flesh. That is not liberty we have as Christians. The liberty we have has nothing to do with the things of the flesh, Thank God that Jesus Christ has made us free from our bondage to our flesh. I don’t have to follow after the flesh anymore, I don’t have to be enslaved in the things that at one time had power over me. No, I can now have victory over those sinful habits of mine through Jesus Christ, and His righteousness. So stand fast in the liberty wherein Christ has made you free—And do not be entangled again, (better translated “to be burdened by” to be subject to, or yoked together with. Where the Jews thought the yoke, which is an apparatus used to bring two animals together, can be referred to the “yoke of the law” as a reference for true religion. Paul argued that for those who pursued it as a way of salvation under the law, this law was a yoke of slavery.
Circumcised—Paul had no objection to circumcision itself. But he objected to the notion that it had some spiritual benefit or merit with God and was a prerequisite or necessary component of salvation. Circumcision in the Old Testament had meaning to Israel when it was a physical symbol of a cleansed heart (Deuteronomy 30:6). And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the Lord your God will all of your heart and with all of your soul, that you may live. This work of God in the innermost being and new heart will allow the Israelite to love the Lord wholeheartedly, and is the essential feature of the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34). The atoning sacrifice of Christ cannot benefit anyone who trusts in law and ceremony for salvation.
So we’ve learned that we can’t work or ever earn our salvation. Yet, God does care about the way we work. “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24) The Lord ensures the believer that he will receive just compensation for his work for Him here on earth. For his efforts at witnessing to others, his longsuffering at the hands of unjust men. God will deal with obedience and disobedience impartially. So here is our liberty in Christ: We have the freedom of choice, To choose to follow after Christ while living here in this life, which in all likelihood will have suffering and even persecution, and yet, will be rewarded one day fairly with equity by our Lord Jesus Christ, as we enter in His kingdom. Or do I want to obey my flesh, which is fallen and been condemned to death by our Lord’s sacrifice on the cross. To choose my own way, my own righteousness, hey I might make a big splash in this life! People will look at me, and be enamored by what they see. But God looks at my heart. He is the One that will bring all of my works at the end of this life before His judgment. I wouldn’t fair well if I am compared to His Son, Jesus Christ, and His righteousness. And guess what? Neither would you! So to live in the flesh is to bring condemnation on one’s self, but If you choose this day to follow after the Spirit of God, to walk in the Spirit of God, you will bear fruit in this life which is the fruit of Jesus Christ, and His character in us enables us to display in our life love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23) When a Christian walks by the Spirit and manifests His fruit in this life, he needs no external law to produce the attitudes and behavior that please God.
Beloved friend, If your a Christian today, you already possess the imputed righteousness of Christ, but we are still awaiting the completion and perfected righteousness that is our inheritance as we wait for the return of Christ. This will be our coronation at His coming for His bride, the church. We will be transformed into the perfect image of Christ, and His glorification. Unbelievably hard to imagine, yes, I know. But in the meantime, let us go forth in our Christian walk by bearing the fruit of righteous living that glorifies God the Father, through Jesus Christ. Let us say “No” to our fleshly thoughts and lusts of our old selves by recognizing ourselves to be dead to those things that once enslaved us, and now, with this liberty that is in Christ, let us go out today, and enjoy our freedom to rest from our labors and be in Christ, and His perfect rest. We will see a big difference when we let Him be in charge of us in this life. Indeed, we will never regret that we choose to rest in the finished work of the cross at Calvary of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Let us care passionately for others in our life who are still in slavery to their flesh, and patiently love them and serve them. For this will honor our Lord till He comes back for us.
May the Lord bless your walk with Him today!
With blessing to you: JB
