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

The Galatians had started with the Paul’s message of Christ crucified, but in his absence, they ran back to the law. They felt safe there, wrapped in rules and expectations of the pharisees.  Paul wrote passionately to them to make it clear: Christ didn’t come to bind them up with rules and allow them to go back to the old ways. He came to live His life through them…

• with love
• in service
• abounding in peace
• forever in freedom

I get the opinion that I could have lived easily in Galatia.  I like to know the rules.  I worry about stuff.  I think a lot about pleasing others.  I guess what I’m saying is that yoke of slavery Paul is talking about here, is one I wear very comfortably.

I love this reminder from Galatians 6 14-16  as written in the Message translation

14-16For my part, I am going to boast about nothing but the Cross of our Master, Jesus Christ. Because of that Cross, I have been crucified in relation to the world, set free from the stifling atmosphere of pleasing others and fitting into the little patterns that they dictate. Can’t you see the central issue in all this? It is not what you and I do—submit to circumcision, reject circumcision. It is what God is doing, and he is creating something totally new, a free life! {emphasis mine}

I am… set free from the stifling atmosphere of pleasing others!  Amen and Amen!  This is what the Galatians were doing, too.   They were trying to please the lawmakers by mixing law and grace.  Paul says, “No way. Won’t work. You will die trying.” I am a witness to that life. People pleasing and focusing on the rules just squeeze the life right out of you.  Been there, done that.  {See why studying grace is so huge for me?}

The beautiful thing about this freedom is that it is delivered by grace. They really go hand in hand.  Like BFF’s.  You can’t have one without the others.  You and I  were made for freedom.  We were made for grace.

Here is the picture of it that keeps coming to mind {You know I’ve been a little consumed by Pride and Prejudice lately right?}

So live it.  Breathe it.  Stand firm in it.  It is for freedom that Christ set you free.  Grace delivered, with your name on it.

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Other Grace Notes on Galatians:

Galatians 1 :: Grace Breaks Through

Galatians 2 :: Grace Recognized

Galatians 2 (part 2) :: Grace Increasing

Galatians 3 & 4 :: Grace Formed in Me

{I’m linking up today with Women in the Word Wednesday over at Good Morning Girls!  Love these women passionately pursuing God!}