DEVOTION – DAY 574

Galatians 5:1 “Freedom From Slavery To Sin”

Galatians 5:1 “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by the yoke of slavery.”

Under Moses’ Law given to him by God, the Jews were bound to obey and follow the Law. But none of them could fulfill the Law. They all were bound by the Law but all had failed. That was why God sent His Son, Jesus Christ to atone on the cross for all the sins and failures of God’s people. So, Christ has given us freedom from the yoke or burden of Moses’ Law. We no longer need to observe sacrifices, strict observance of dietary requirements, and trying to obey and follow the rigorous demands of the law. 

Thus, Paul instructed the Galatians to stand firm in their faith in the Lord Jesus, our Redeemer. He has given us freedom from the Law and its many requirements. Christians are now to follow His teachings and example to live lives pleasing to God. We are no longer to be burdened by the “yoke of slavery to keep to the demands of Moses’ Law” – that requires total compliance. We cannot be selective to just keep part of Moses’ Law.

I know someone who was a devout Buddhist. He always ate vegetarian food on the 1st and 15th day of the Chinese Lunar calendar. He would chant daily to his idol. He would be active in charitable acts in order to gain merit. He would join Buddhist retreats, and attend Buddhist seminars. He thought that by keeping to all these religious duties, he would be blessed. Then, illness struck him. He prayed to Buddha but his illness did not get better. He went for a retreat and kept a strict diet hoping that the spiritual and physical cleansing would heal him. He did not get better. In desperation, he recalled that a friend had shared with him about Jesus Christ. Out of desperation, he told Jesus that if He was real, he asked for healing from Him, and he would follow Jesus as Lord, and not Buddha. He soon recovered from his illness. Today, he is standing firm in his faith in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son, Jesus Christ to free us from the yoke of slavery to sin and condemnation. We pray for the salvation of our family members who have yet to receive your gift of salvation. We pray for their conversion in your perfect timing for them. We pray in the wonderful name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Question

  1. What were you yoked to before you became a Christian? Share.
  2. Tell us about your conversion experience? What caused you to call upon the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?
  3. How can you help someone close to you who is not yet a Christian to know and receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior? Share and discuss.