Our Liberty in Christ
In Galatians 5:1, Paul declares a profound truth to believers:
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”
This verse captures the essence of the freedom that Christ has provided to us, a freedom that delivers us from the heavy burden and bondage of the law, sin, and death. Let’s unpack the layers of this liberty, understanding what it means to “stand fast” in the freedom that Christ offers and how to avoid the traps that lead us back into bondage.
Standing Fast in Grace
Paul begins with an exhortation: “Stand fast therefore.” Why should we stand firm? The answer lies in the earlier context of Galatians: our position as children of the free (Gal 4:31), adopted as sons of God through Christ (Gal 4:5), and our redemption from the curse of the law (Gal 3:13). By redeeming us from the law, Christ has provided us with a new, sure foundation (2Ti 2:19). Positionally and judicially, we now permanently stand in grace, accessible through faith in the gospel of Christ (Rom 5:1-2).
However, in our service to God, we must fight the good fight and stand fast in the faith. This isn’t a passive stance; it requires diligence, a commitment to remain grounded and not be swayed by legalism or licentiousness. Standing fast in liberty means anchoring ourselves in the truth and freedom of the gospel (2Th 2:15, Eph 6:11-18, 1Co 10:12).
Freedom from the Bondage of the Law
One of the main forms of bondage is the law itself. The law’s demands were stringent, requiring total adherence – something no one could fully achieve except Jesus Christ (Gal 3:10-13, Mat 5:17). When we attempt to return to the law, we are attempting to carry a burden that is impossible to bear. Acts 15:10 reminds us that the law is a “yoke” that Israel could not bear, and yet Christ has freed us from this burden through His perfect life, death, and resurrection. Our liberty in Christ frees us from the need to fulfill every aspect of the law, for we are under grace, not law (Romans 6:14).
The law is described as “weak and beggarly” in Galatians 4:9, unable to provide genuine transformation. Like a mirror, it exposes your flaws but doesn’t actually provide the tools to genuinely change. Through Christ, we operate by faith with the power of the Spirit, equipped with spiritual strength and mighty truth to overcome sin and walk in righteousness (2Co 10:3-6). True change and transformation doesn’t come from trying to change the outward appearance or behavior, but rather, it comes from a renewing of the mind through God’s grace (Rom 12:1-2).
Freedom from the Bondage of Sin
Another aspect of bondage is the power of sin over our lives. Sin’s dominion results in guilt, shame, hopelessness, and ultimately self-righteous hypocrisy when we lower the bar of what is truly good in order to justify ourselves. However, through Christ, we are freed from sin’s hold. Romans 6:6-7 teaches that our old selves were crucified with Christ so that we would no longer be slaves to sin. This freedom doesn’t mean we won’t struggle with sin, but it does mean sin no longer defines or controls us.
As believers, we are declared righteous in Christ, forgiven of all trespasses by His blood (Col 2:10-14). This freedom allows us to serve God without fear of condemnation. It gives us hope for transformation, encourages us to bear spiritual fruit, and empowers us to pursue truth without fear of failure. Through this liberty, we can walk boldly in God’s truth, knowing that sin no longer has a grip on our identity or destiny.
Freedom from the Bondage of Death
Finally, in Christ, we are liberated from the ultimate bondage: death. The wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23), and without Christ, we were bound to reap a fruitless life that leads to eternal separation from God in hell. But Christ’s victory over death assures us of our own victory as well (Rom 6:1-11). In 1 Corinthians 15:51-58, Paul celebrates the triumph we have over death through Christ, proclaiming that death’s sting has been removed. This liberty means we have eternal life, a life that is no longer vain but filled with purpose and hope that doesn’t change based on our circumstances or performance.
Living in Our Liberty
In essence, to live in our liberty in Christ is to stand confidently in what He has accomplished for us. This liberty is not a license for self-indulgence but a freedom to serve God in love and truth, empowered by His Spirit. By standing fast in this liberty, we resist the temptation to return to old ways, whether they be self-righteous legalism, the traps of sin and guilt, or licentious apathy for the things of God.
As Galatians 5:1 urges us, let’s remain vigilant, not returning to the yoke of bondage, but walking freely in the grace and truth that Christ provides. May we embrace our liberty, not as a freedom for the flesh, but as a path to loving, authentic faith in God and a life that reflects His righteousness and love.
