Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Summary: Paul is working hard to help us understand our relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Why do we need to “stand firm”?
Our last meditation was on Paul’s words, “Christ has set us free to live a free life” (MSG). He sets us free by allowing us to be “born again” (John 3:3). This spiritual rebirth is described by Jesus as being reunited with our true Father (Luke 15:32). Once reunited with our Father in heaven, we are changed. Before, we were subjects of the King (God), and subject to the law. After our rebirth and reunion with our Father (King, God), God sees us as his children (Gal 4:6, 1 John 3:1, John 1:12-13).
Jesus explains what this means when he asks Peter about the temple tax. Do kings collect duty and taxes from their own children? Peter knows they don’t. Jesus’ response is “Then the children are exempt” (Matthew 17:26). We are no longer subjects of the King. Instead, we are his children! This is so hard to grasp and understand that Paul repeats it over and over in his letters to the churches.
Originally born and raised as subjects of the King, we were slaves to the King’s law. Like real slaves, many of us rebelled against the law and openly defied the King. Others try to live according to the law but find it impossible to do.
Now, having accepted Jesus as Lord, we are reborn spiritually as children of the King. It is not that the law does not apply to us because we can still do right and wrong. Instead, it is that the law has no authority over us. God himself is our Father. Our Father loves us and disciplines us as children (Hebrews 12:4-11).
Our biggest challenge as children of God is remembering who we are. Satan never stops whispering in our ear, “Did God really say …?” (Gen 3:1). Did God really say we could be born again? Did God really mean it when he said we could be his children? Does God really love us?
Because we were originally born into slavery, it is tempting to fall back into our old habits. Being a slave is easier in some ways. As slaves, we don’t have to think or take responsibility for our actions. Neither do we have to trust an invisible Father or an unseen Savior.
But we are not slaves. We are part of God’s family. We need to remember that. We need to stand firm!
Application: Stand firm in the knowledge that we are God’s children.
Food for Thought: What are some things we can do to guard against returning to a slave mentality?
Something I understand more and more as I grow in the Lord is the power of choice. In 2 Cor 10:5 Paul wrote:
“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,”
As I read through the meditation this morning, I thought about the captivity that sin can have on a person. A life lived in sinful choices becomes buried underneath the consequences of those choices. The law exposes our sin, and we become slaves to it because the debt of our sin can never be paid. Christ came and fulfilled the law, He wiped the debt clean, and allows us to live under the guidance of His Spirit. Living in the freedom of Christ though is not a “one and done” experience. Yes, our debt is paid, but we must grow in the the grace and knowledge of our Lord. We must makes choices that follow the will of our Lord, and in order to do that we must understand the “knowledge of God” and “take every thought captive to obey Christ.”
What are some things we can do to guard against returning to a slave mentality?
Seek the knowledge of God; read His Word, seek Him in prayer, seek Him in our life, invite His Spirit into our life. If we live according to His will, then the law becomes a testament to a heart that loves God.
Take every thought captive to obey Christ; it is more than saying “I can’t choose this or that because the Bible says I can’t. I must choose this or that because the Bible says I should” It is saying in our heart “I cannot choose this, or I should choose this, because I recognize that sin separates me from His presence, and acting in selfless love brings me and keeps me in His presence.”
Chris,
I like your emphasis on the word “seek.” Seeking is an active state of mind, always looking and searching fore the truth about God.
What are some things we can do to guard against returning to a slave mentality?
As CH so well states!
We are spiritual beings, shaped and formed by our choices during our time in these physical bodies. God teaches, we are free in Christ and we are slaves to Him. The Apostles Peter and Paul as well as Jude and Jesus Himself intentionally draw our attention to this paradox.
Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 1 Peter 2:16, AMP
Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative), set apart for [preaching] the gospel of God [the good news of salvation],
Romans 1:1, AMP
Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, [writes this letter], To those who are the called (God’s chosen ones, the elect), dearly loved by God the Father, and kept [secure and set apart] for Jesus Christ:
Jude 1:1, AMP
“Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
Matthew 12:18, AMP
Use our freedom from the power of sin to become slaves of God and we will live in the peace only He can provide.
Thank you, Ron!
Serving God is effectively a way of loving him “above all else.” Well said!
Know Christ. Love Christ. Know His word. Trust His promises and live accordingly.
Brother Rich,
Nice summation! Knowing Christ is so very important!
Thank you! 🙂