The Freedom of Grace

 

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. (Galatians 5:1-6 ESV).

 

Since I am writing this devotional the day before we make our trek through the Hill Country in our search for Texas wildflowers and bluebonnets, I went through some old files from Ennis, Texas. I highly recommend an auto tour along the Bluebonnet Trail in that part of our state. It is always beautiful to see how these incredibly beautiful flowers have bloomed with very little help from human effort. Some of the ranches abounding in the flowers are vast, stretching to the horizon. The picture attached is from one of the roads leading to the lake near Ennis. It reminded me of how wonderful the grace of God is.

 

Our reading today is from one of the Apostle Paul’s letters to the early churches where he describes difficulties that the church was struggling with. In his letter to the Galatians he rebukes them for getting caught up in rules and regulations. They were so concerned with following the letter of the law that their legalistic attitudes and prejudices toward those outside of Judaism overtook their desire to live by and share in the love of Jesus. Paul wrote this to say it was not the way life in the church was supposed to be.

 

Living a life of obligation and requirements and trying to live into the expectations of others is a heavy burden to bear, even if those requirements and expectations have good intentions. The joy of resurrection life in Christ frees us to live with love for God and neighbor without the burden of ­legalistic expectations. No one ever gets it right all of the time. But with the Spirit of Christ guiding us, we aim to live by grace and love in Jesus’ name, following his example.

 

In the remaining days of this month, we’ll reflect on what it looks like to live in the freedom of Jesus Christ. In this freedom we are released from the effects of sin and death so that we can live as God intends us to: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” Today, ask the Lord to show you His grace… it is the truth that sets us free!