CALLED TO STAND FIRM

Galatians 5:1 WEB
Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and don’t be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

Dear Believer,

There are some points to bring out of this verse. Let’s check them out.

1. The Believer has been made free by the Lord. Salvation takes a man from slavery to freedom.

2. The Believer has to stand firm. This means there are negative consequences to not standing firm or steadfast.

3. Christ has made the Believer free, but it is the Believer’s responsibility to maintain that freedom.

4. It is very possible for the Believer to get ‘entangled again with a yoke of bondage.’

You see, the overall message here makes it clear that it is possible for a Believer who has been made free and delivered from a burden (or a yoke) to be caught in the web of evil again.

This isn’t the Lord’s doing. When such happens, it won’t be because the Lord is testing the Believer; it will be because the Believer walked away from freedom and gets himself into trouble.

What this results in is a Believer who has access to God’s provisions in Jesus Christ, has all the rights to total freedom and has authority over the devil becoming oppressed by the devil and being under an evil yoke. That’s pitiful.

I say this again: it is not the Lord’s doing. You cannot walk in the way of evil and not expect to be stained.

The context of this passage is about Christians who go back to legalism and abandon the grace of God, but this applies to everything that concerns us. The old nature is always checking back.

Check out these verses about steadfastness.

Hebrews 3:14
For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end.

A Believer’s life is, among other things, one of consistent steadfastness in faith. Christ hasn’t called us into weakness, but to strength. Some Believers weakly capitulate to the devil’s pressure whenever he tempts them or when challenges come. That’s is not the way to live.

Peter the apostle tells us not to take any nonsense from the devil. We are to resist him steadfastly in the faith. (1Peter 5:9).

So, friend, it is the Believer’s responsibility to stand firm and resolute. Satan might be a bully, but he has no power over us except that which we give to him.

Have a great day!

Your friend,
Deon.
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For more study read Galatians chapter 5.

First published Sept 23, 2020