Beyond the Weekend

August 24 | Freedom

August 24, 2015

Text: Galatians 5.13-26

At the heart of the gospel, and living as a Jesus-follower, is freedom. “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free…You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free” (Galatians 5.1, 13). While we were in bondage to sin (John 8.34), our faith and trust in Jesus’ work on the cross allows us the opportunity to experience the real freedom God desires for each of us.

Shortly after writing these words, the Apostle Paul tells us how to experience this freedom, “…walk by the Spirit…keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5.16, 25). When we “walk” in this way, we do so in conjunction with the Holy Spirit as he develops God’s character—the fruit of the Spirit—in our lives. Step by step the Spirit moves us from where we are toward where God wants us to be. As this happens, we walk away from the bondage of the “acts of the flesh” (Galatians 5.19) and toward the fruit of the Spirit.

We have the choice every day, and probably multiple times in each day, to “keep in step with the Spirit.” Today, write Galatians 5.1a and 13a on a 3 x 5 card and place it somewhere accessible. When you’re tempted to walk on your own, out of step with the Spirit, grab this card and use these words to remind you of your freedom in Christ.

You Might Also Like