The Grace of God

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1)

Whether we think it’s fair or not, there is an increasing antipathy, apathy, and antagonism toward the church and modern Christianity unlike anything we’ve ever seen in our nation’s history. A big part of it is our fault, and it is exactly why a man named Paul wrote the book of Galatians, because the church that had been taught the liberty that comes from faith in Jesus was being tempted to replace it with legalism that comes from trying to keep the law.

This problem is still a major issue in the church today, because many Christians believe you have to add “do’s and don’ts” to following Jesus if you want to be a true Christian. But that’s simply not the case. When people walk into a true New Testament church, they ought to find two things: the God of grace and the grace of God. As believers, we must be about the only thing that counts so that unbelievers will see that we understand the only thing that counts. And if we’re going to do that, we must stand firm for the grace of God.

At the beginning of Galatians chapter 5, Paul is wrapping up all he has been saying in four chapters into two sentences. “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery,” (Galatians 5:1). He begins by reminding us that Jesus Christ did not come to this earth to establish another religion, to give us more rules, to add more regulations, or to burden us with more restrictions. He came for freedom. And not only did Jesus come to give us freedom, but He came to show us what real freedom is. Freedom is not the ability to do what I want to do; it is the power to do what I ought to do. We need to stand firm for grace in that power and freedom that Jesus gives. When we do, we will begin to truly grasp the weight of His grace and our desperate need for it.

Dear Lord, thank you for your unending grace. Help me not to get so caught up in the rules and regulations that I miss my need for your grace and mercy. And give me the strength to show that same grace to those around me. In Jesus name, amen.