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by Sandy Shaw
When we come to Galatians Chapter 5 and verse 1, we read further and deeper about our freedom in Christ. This is basically what Paul has been wrestling with in this profound, if not exciting, letter.
Some people like to be excited and thrilled when it comes to the Christian Faith - all the time - but there is a need for being serious and profound and biblically sound.
Those who like simply to receive the bread can disappear when there is no more bread. We learned some weeks ago in John Chapter 6 that Jesus is the bread.
What a day to preaching and teaching on freedom - when so many people look for freedom and peace - but we are reading of that freedom which comes from Jesus Christ - and speaking of that peace which comes only from Jesus Christ.
We can experience this - even when sadness seeks to imprison us - or when demons attempt to enslave us - or when men try to limit or restrain us.
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free."
Jesus does not set us free so that we will become slaves to surrounding situations. Jesus does not set us free for us only to revert back to norm - to weak and miserable principles, and religious rules and regulations.
Freedom is one of the hardest things to get - and one of the easiest things to lose!
The world is crying out for freedom - I want to be free to do what I like. That is not freedom - that is slavery. Many want freedom of speech - freedom of thought - freedom to express ourselves - freedom from want - freedom from poverty or financial restraints - freedom from ignorance - freedom for political action - and even freedom from GOD!
Jesus enjoyed perfect freedom - and yet He says - "the Father who sent Me commanded Me what to say and how to say it" – John Chapter 12 verse 49. What to say and how to say it - "I know what You want Me to say to those people, but Father show Me how You want it said. What is the tone to be? How is it to sound?"
That is perfect freedom - when our liberty is under the total control of our gracious and loving God - and the Power of the Holy Spirit.
Real freedom - is not to do what I want - but to be set free from "me" - to be set free from SELF - to do what Jesus wants me to do.
We can be in chains to self - but Jesus sets us free - releases us - delivers us - to be what God would have us be.
In Galatians, Paul is arguing for and pleading for the integrity of the gospel of Jesus Christ - the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Saviour, the Redeemer, the Lord, the King.
That reminds us of the uniqueness of Jesus Christ. Speaking of the uniqueness of Jesus Christ in these present times is becoming increasingly dangerous. It was in the first Century, and it is becoming more so in the twenty first Century. How do you stand with regard to the reality?
"Almighty God, our loving heavenly Father, help us to stand firm and strong in these days, when there are pressures and stresses to compromise, and give in here and give in there." Amen.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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