It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. – Galatians 5:1

There is often a significant amount of discourse surrounding freedom and liberty in July. It is important to note that when Paul alludes to these ideals, he is not referring to the “Emancipation Proclamation,” a document aimed at freeing individuals from physical enslavement. The context in which Paul discusses freedom and liberty delves deeper and extends beyond physical liberation.

By firmly believing in the freedom Jesus granted us, we can embrace the fact that any sense of bondage in our relationship with God does not stem from His will. God urges us to draw strength from Him and live in freedom, avoiding entrapment in a yoke of bondage.

Importantly, it is Christ who has granted us freedom. We do not achieve freedom on our own. Freedom is a gift from Jesus, bestowed upon us and accepted through faith. When we attempt to liberate ourselves, we only find ourselves more ensnared again with a yoke of bondage.

This should make us feel grateful and connected to Jesus, our source of freedom.

Paul emphasized the true meaning of liberty. Nowadays, people pursue “freedom” by doing whatever they want and never denying any desire. While this may seem like liberty, it is a false one. True liberty is the freedom from the burden of having to earn our own way to God, freedom from sin, guilt, and condemnation, freedom from the penalty and power of sin, and eventually, freedom from the presence of sin.

Standing firm requires effort to remain in the place of liberty. Even those legally freed in Jesus can fall back into bondage.