DAD'S DAILY BREAD

5 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Gal 5:1

Freedom is a word that can have different meanings. Most people want freedom to be able to do whatever they want. Be free from restraints and be able to follow your desires and ultimately decide what you feel is right for you. What Paul is saying is that it is not real freedom and will eventually turn into a different kind of bondage. You can become driven by impulses and that turns into bad habits that turn into sin. Eventually your choices start to control you and you are once again a slave to your flesh. I have been experiencing that a lot lately. You can have healthy things in your life like wanting to provide for your family and take them on vacations and do fun things. But when it starts to take over your thoughts and you begin to let it affect the way you walk through life then it’s becoming an idol. You are serving your flesh and trying to fulfill something in your heart that is only going to be filled by God. Your flesh is competing with God all day long. Trying to pull you away and distract you with things that seem important but in the light of eternity are completely meaningless.

Paul is talking about a freedom that can only be achieved when it starts with surrender. When Jesus exposes you to His love and forgiveness and His grace only then can you truly be free. When you realize that you no longer have to earn your place with God and you are freed from condemnation and guilt of your sin then you can truly live free. You are no longer held captive to sin and all the standards set by this sinful world. You are no longer controlled by what used to own you and you can really start to live life how God intended you to live. You begin to live a spirit filled life and God begins changing you from the inside out. But that’s just the beginning because your flesh is always there and will always be pulling you away. That is what Paul is reminding us of in this verse. Don’t forget why and how God has set you free and don’t allow yourself to return to the yoke of your sin. Don’t trade the free gift of grace from Christ for a checklist of things you think will make you happy! Believe me when I say it is a struggle. Your whole life has been driven by lies. Things you’re told and things you see that you think will make you successful and happy but they couldn’t be more wrong. The only thing you need is Jesus! Follow Him to achieve true freedom!

True freedom begins with surrender so surrender today! Lord please give me the strength to surrender it all! I want to live life for You. To stop chasing all the things I feel will make me happy! You are the true source of freedom! Set me free from the sin that is constantly wrecking me! Help me to fix my eyes on you and to never look back! Thank You for Your Word and the truth that puts me back in my place when I start to wander! You are God and I am not! Thank you for those truths! Paul isn’t saying to try harder but he is reminding us that we don’t have to prove ourselves to God or to anyone else. But to stay at the foot of the cross and surrender it all to Christ. Only then will you have true freedom.

APPLICATION:

Remember that life is not all about me. Don’t be selfish and self centered. Stay buried in God’s Word. Allow His truths to influence my thoughts and actions in every situation. Put others first and serve them. Remember that Christ gave me mercy when I deserved judgement. So be merciful to others even when they don’t deserve it. Be humble and thankful! Pray Pray Pray!

IN HIS NAME