Freedom

The Apostle Paul wrote these famous words in Galatians 5:1. "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free..."

I have been mulling over these words for some time now. Isn't this verse just stating the obvious? Why else would we be set free if not for freedom? What is the use of being set free if you are not free? It doesn't make sense. Yet Paul stated the seemingly obvious because he knew that being made free does not always equate to living in freedom.

Many years ago, I was told there was a secret to keeping elephants in captivity. Elephants are big. They can easily weigh about 11 tons. They are strong.

They possess the capability of major destruction without exerting any effort. Yet, we have all seen pictures of elephants in captivity. Sometimes they are restrained by simply wrapping a rope around the ankle. Since they are strong and powerful creatures, they should be able to rip the stake from the ground and trample their captors. At the very least, this is a return to nature. But they don't. They just stand there, seemly docile and stripped of the power.

How is it possible? This is how it’s done in Thailand. The captured elephant has iron bands placed around each leg and attached with heavy chains, and then the elephant is chained to a large tree. As the elephant lifts his leg, he pulls and pulls to try to break the chain or uproot the tree. He continues to struggle until, one day, he quits. He simply stops trying. At that point, the elephant has lost his freedom. He is trapped because he believes that he can never break free. The younger the captive elephant, the easier it is to force submission.

This story is sad because the elephant has not lost its strength. Even in captivity, this animal is incredibly powerful. The captivity has not stolen his power but rather his will.

As human beings, we are born under the curse of sin. As a result of our ancestor Adam, all humans are born sinners. We all need salvation from our sinful natures. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23. In the epistle to the Galatians, Paul implores Christians to live in the freedom for which Christ has died. The sad reality is that many Christians do not live in the freedom that Christ has bought for them.

I believe that many Christians hold so tightly to the yoke of slavery because they have become so familiar with their slavery that they don't even realise that they are free. Despite their choice to follow Christ and despite understanding the Gospel, their enemy still holds them captive.

What does this captivity look like? Well, for each person, it will be different. In Galatians 5:19-21, Paul lists a number of sinful acts. We tend to think of sin as vile acts of evil. Maybe something like murder or fraud or other terrible things. However, let's consider fear, anxiety, bitterness, and unforgiveness. Could we be slaves to those conditions?

What is holding you captive today? Do you live in the freedom that Christ purchased with his blood? Ask yourself today. Pray and examine your heart today.

Imagine you are caught in the act of committing a crime. There is no doubt that you are guilty. You are sentenced to jail as punishment unless you can pay the fine. Unfortunately, the fine is an amount you will never be able to afford. There is no hope for you as you sit in that jail cell. You sit there in your hopelessness day after day. Then, one day, a miracle happens. Your father shows up at the jail. You haven't spoken to him in years. You break down in tears when you see him and beg his forgiveness. Then, immediately, he informs you that he has paid the fine. You are so happy. You dance for joy and can't stop smiling, but you don't leave your jail cell.

A story like this just sounds ridiculous, doesn't it? Yet, in some way, that is what we do with the liberty Christ paid so dearly for.

What is holding you back today? What is there that still holds you back? In the case of the people from Galatia, some leaders tried to add new rules to their salvation by demanding circumcision. What burdens have been placed on you regarding your worship of God?

Remember the verse at the beginning. It is for freedom that Christ has set you free. Don't allow anyone or anything to steal that freedom. Cast your burdens upon Christ and He will care for you. (1 Peter 5:7) The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy (your freedom), but Christ gives life (freedom) in abundance. John 10:10