Written by Roger D. Campbell
When Paul wrote the book of Galatians, it seems that the spiritual freedom of the Christians in that area was being threatened. Some (known as Judaizers) were trying to force Jesus’ disciples to keep the old law, circumcision in particular.
Paul noted that Titus, a Gentile brother in the Lord, had not succumbed to the pressure to be circumcised: “And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us unto bondage)” (Galatians 2:4).
Did you notice the contrast set forth in that verse? It was “liberty” versus “bondage.” What liberty did he reference? “Liberty which we have in Christ Jesus.” What do we know about that liberty/freedom? First of all, true liberty is in the Christ (2:4).
Second, who is the one who makes us free? In Galatians 5:1, it is written, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free . . .” Who makes us free? The Messiah.
How? How did we and the Galatian saints obtain this great freedom? On the one hand, it was the truth that made us free (John 8:32). In addition, we were redeemed from slavery by the blood of the Lamb (1 Peter 1:18,19). What about humans, what part do they play in receiving freedom? They do not formulate the plan, but if they desire to have the freedom which Jesus offers, they must comply with His conditions of freedom.
In our pre-Christian days, we were slaves of sin, but when we “obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine” to which we were delivered, we were “set free from sin” (Romans 6:17,18). We recall that freedom is in the Christ, and the only way to get into Him is by obeying the gospel, which is culminated in being baptized in water (Romans 6:3,4).
How does one maintain his freedom in the Christ? By continuing to obey the truth (Galatians 5:7), which the Bible also calls “walking in the light” (1 John 1:7).
Paul further stated this about Christian liberty: “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13). When we were set free from sin, we were released from the chains of superstition, false teaching, and all else that is “not according to Christ” (Colossians 2:8).
Our freedom in Jesus does not give us the right to “do as we please.” Further down in Galatians 5, we learn that engaging in the works of the flesh will prevent one from pleasing God (Galatians 5:19-21).