Friday, October 9, 2026

Scripture

“For freedom Christ has set us free.  Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1

Reflections

Do you consider yourself “free”?

The Apostle Paul shared the gospel in the area of Galatia.  People became followers of Jesus.  Sometime after that, people called Judaizers infiltrated the churches and began to preach a false gospel.  They were teaching people that in order to experience salvation, they must be more religious and be circumcised.

This became a kind of slavery.  It’s like telling a person they must be a good and perfect Christian to go to heaven—an impossible goal to reach.  We see people caught in an exhausting cycle of trying to be perfect, failing and turning back to sin.  It goes on and on.  As hard as they may try, they will never be sinless.  They’re left in bondage.

The Apostle Paul speaks of a better way.  It is a way of not submitting to a yoke of slavery.  A yoke was a wooden bar placed over the neck of a pair of animals so they can work together.  They would usually place an older, wiser animal with a younger one.  They would be able to work more easily together than working alone.  When we yoke with Christ and stand firm in our relationship with him, we know his unconditional love.  We know our sin is not the final word but his forgiveness.  That’s what sets us free.

Prayer

Lord God, thank you that true freedom is not based on rules, but my relationship with you.  I leave behind my sin and follow you in freedom this day.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Full Reading: Galatians 4:21—5:1