Stand in Liberty

Galatians 5:1

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

Based on everything Paul has shared with the Galatian Christians thus far, he commands them to stand fast. The word in the original Greek translated as stand fast refers to remaining firm, immovable, or stationary. They should have been firmly planted in the freedom from the law of Moses that they received in Christ. As he has done throughout this epistle, Paul points out that it was Jesus who made them free. Their freedom did not come to them by keeping the law. In fact, he describes the law as a yoke of bondage that entangles those who try to keep it. A yoke speaks of a burden one has to bear, and the yoke of the law ensnares and holds captive the one who attempts to live by it. As a result, obedience to the law is burdensome, but Jesus promised to give rest to those who were weighed down with heavy burdens if they would just take His yoke upon themselves because it was easy and light (Mt. 11:28-30).

As Paul speaks about the liberty we have as Christians, he clearly shows us we receive it by grace from the Lord. However, he also expects us to do certain things to ensure we are living in the freedom graciously bestowed upon us. Paul commanded the Galatians to stand firmly in liberty. Standing is an action you have to perform. It is an act of the will. You must realize that Christ has granted you freedom, and it is now your responsibility to live in light of what He has done. The problem is that you can be enticed to move away from that freedom. Moving away from the liberty you have in Christ happens when you try to win God’s favor by your outward deeds. This is unfortunate because God has already blessed you with freedom in Jesus, and you have already received God’s favor. Trying to please the Lord with your obedience to the law is a sure way to entangle yourself. By doing so, you place unnecessary obligations upon yourself so that your life with Lord becomes burdensome and unenjoyable. That was never the Lord’s intent for you. True liberty and joy come from living by faith—knowing that whatever problem may come your way is not yours to bear. Your problems are the Lord’s problems. Stop voluntarily taking that yoke upon yourself. Jesus has already taken it for you. Stand still in the liberty He has given you, and accept the wonderful blessings of living in the grace He wants to daily bestow upon you.