Who wants to be a slave–any takers?
I know I don’t!
Paul talks to the Galatians and says that “if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you.” Gal. 5:2
If I choose to follow the Law for salvation, it makes Christ’s death useless and in vain.
Then why is the law there? It’s there to open our eyes to how sinful we are and how much we NEED Christ, not how good we are doing at the checklist.
I get stuck in this at times, and I’m asking for God’s help to change.
Signs you may be a slave:
You notice every ones earrings or jewelry, especially at church. You may not judge, but think about why you even notice it.
You ask if someone is a vegetarian or vegan often, trying to form the “box” for where they fit.
You ask which academy or college someone went to when you meet.
You think that if a person doesn’t keep the Sabbath, they have less truth and may not be saved.
You “get” the Bible. You speed read to meet the quota for the year.
You take pride in this and make sure everyone else knows about it.
You are the shepherd of all. Others present truth, but you know better.
You see someone’s bad habit and think, “I’m glad I don’t do that anymore.”
You rarely improve in love, but you sure have less problems than you use to.
You feel pressured or may even like to dress to the nines for church.
You’re afraid to speak your true opinions, unless they are popular.
Guilty as Charged
I do some of these. I’ve also experienced the pain from the other side.
I’ve been praying for God to change my heart. I don’t, we don’t, have to be what we’ve grown up with or seen in the church. God can “create a new heart.”
The way of “law” thinking only will bring death. Because when we take our eyes off of Christ and His salvation and turn our eyes onto ourselves, all we can see is mortality. He is our only salvation and hope.
In Galatians, it talks about Hagar being the Law and Sarah being the Promise. If we are like Abraham, and try to fulfill the promise of God in our own strength, only conflict can arise, and there is no inheritance in His kingdom. But if we rely upon the promise of God by faith, we will find ourselves reaping righteousness in a place many would call “barren” of opportunity or chance. Christ is the gift of God’s promise and eternal life.
A Call to Freedom
“For you were called to freedom, brothers (and sisters). Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through LOVE serve one another. For the whole law is fullfilled in one word: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Gal. 5:13-14
I had always seen this verse as “Don’t take advantage of grace” but that has nothing to do with the entire book or chapter. What I saw after reading is this:
Christ has given us eternal life, we are not to take this blessing of hope as a way to puff ourselves up (mentioned a chapter back) but to serve and love others. We’re not to live according to the flesh, perfecting ourselves and lording over others with our perfection, but to become as Christ, to serve. The first shall be last, and the last shall be first. It’s not about the fleshly status at all.
Prayer about my judging (that I am ashamed of) led me to Galatians. I highly recommend it if you are going through the same.
Join the “Cause”
Say no to enslaving yourself and the people around you.
Share the love of Christ instead.
