Who is the Author of Creation? Jesus Christ. And the Author of Salvation? Jesus Christ. God creates. That marvelous scenery around you, the trees, branches, and leaves, God made it and sustains it. And God provides eternal life. That’s the Christian belief, our faith.
The modern man gets pretty full of himself, and rightfully so in a way. That is, we seem to have all we need. We think ourselves wiser than the ancients (we are not). The modern man, like the man of every age, has worldly standards that we assert against others.
We saw this in spades during the pandemic. And we'll see it again. In the name of safety, we’ve seen authorities all over the world eliminate freedom of movement, thought, bodily autonomy, conscience, belief, religion, and speech. It is astonishing how quickly one group with authority persecutes those who do not follow their safety laws. New worldly standards. Like a cult leader, they demanded blind consent, uniformity, conformity, and obedience. Or else! Or else you will not be allowed to work, to enter a pub, church, or grocery store. Even the hospitals and schools are off limits to the newly declared lepers.
People bought it, hook, line, and sinker. Our neighbors in their late 70s during Covid didn’t see their grandchildren who lived five miles away for over three years because they viewed their grandchildren (all vaxxed mind you) as unsafe. Crazy.
But Christian, Paul is talking here about such legalists in the Church! We had church leaders buy into the new standards of safety over freedom. They say, ‘Take the forced Government vaccines, or else you won’t be able to do ministry.’ You may say, ‘Pipe down, it’s all over now and none of it really matters.’ Well, maybe not. But I think it does. I think freedom matters a great deal to God as He gave His only Son to buy us our freedom. I think freedom over religious legalists is a much bigger issue than the restrictions we saw during the pandemic, but one is a good example of the other. We dare not throw freedom away for a little safety.
At the end of the day, what’s a few more years of worldly nonsense if we don’t grow rich relationships, help others, and pour into our grandkids.
The persecutions during COVID-19 were real. We saw fights in stores, planes, courts, and school board meetings. Society is fragile. Good government and a rich, pluralistic, decent, and good community take good men and women willing to stand up for their freedom and the freedom of others. I know, it's a bit of a diatribe, but it is connected to this message of Salvation and freedom in this well-known chapter. And it is connected to the discussion of good theology.
We are children of God’s promise. Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free the passage tells us, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law. Sound familiar? Stay free!
Oh, the rule mongers want to weigh you down: do this, or else! Here’s the truth, you can’t get right with God by human effort and human rules such as circumcision, obedience to a priest, church, politician, or human plan. There is eternal life and freedom only through the Cross of Jesus Christ.
Our role as Christian servant leaders is not to burden people with laws and old totalitarian rules, newly dusted off to look modern. We are children of the free woman - we must act like it.
Jesus Christ alone decides what is sin. We trust Him alone and express our faith in love. Enslaving others’ thoughts, beliefs, movements, livelihoods, and their very existence is not loving - no matter who pushes such hypocrisy.
Legalism is easy to buy into because it is black and white. Eat this, not that. This music is good, that bad. These people are good, those evil. Don’t you dare drink wine, or wear make-up, or pants, etc. Wicked men, like Ishmael, persecute free, God-fearing men with their legalism. Rich men - north of Richmond!
This passage tells us that God will judge the false teachers, the rule-mongers. They love power, possessions, and prestige. But God calls us to His way. To trust Him to fulfill His promises. God calls us to be free. To act and live and love freely. Don’t use your freedom to sin Rather, express your faith in acts of love, lifting the burden off of others. Always strengthen them, and never weigh others down with wicked totalitarian schemes. Yes, you see those schemes in churches and Christian organizations. Oppose them.
Salvation is through the Cross of Christ alone. You may get persecuted for saying that. Be alarmed if your religion is Christian “plus” or Jesus “and,” and if your Pastor loves to quote everyone but Christ. Be careful not to add to God’s freedom. Jesus says you are called to live in freedom. Brothers and sisters, let’s do that today. Serve one another in love. Love your neighbor as yourself.
Christ is of no benefit to legalists (5:2). They have been cut off from Christ - fallen away from God’s grace (5:4). They earnestly toil to mend what Jesus tore apart.
As opposed to the legalist, the Christian eagerly waits to receive by faith the righteousness God promised to us (5:5).
Let’s wait on God today, all day. It is worth it. God is worth it and His promises never fail.
As the Chriain waits he expresses his faith in loving acts. We’ve got the whole day ahead of us to face the obstacles of the world and show how much we love God by what we do.
I pray that God brings revival. That God brings forth a generation of godly teachers and genuine disciples of Jesus Christ. Those who know Him and are willing, like Paul, to stand against the legalists. Brave Christian men who will selflessly oppose those who are confusing the church with false teaching (5:10).
Today we have the opportunity to turn from sinful behavior. Let's turn to selfless service. Don’t ask for pay. Don’t expect anything in return for serving others. Help, encourage, teach, give, advise, and go the extra mile because you believe Jesus is your King and He gives you eternal freedom.
The Holy Spirit wants to guide you today (5:16). Will you let Him? Or are you much too stubborn for that? Too busy? Too smart?
Lord God, I know what happens when I follow the desires of my sinful nature. Nothing good. But when You guide me I can put love into what I say, think, and do. Please help us to live in Your freedom today. Amen.
Comments