GALATIANS 5:1

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.

TO PONDER

I find it interesting when I talk to people with a pet dog how many of them reveal rather frustratingly, a story about their dog’s bad habit, that can’t seem to be rectified, even after the most dedicated and pin-pointed training.  

Chewing furniture or the shoes left at the back door. Digging holes in the back lawn whenever someone is not home. Or deciding that the bed sheets blowing (and drying) in the wind are just too good to refuse and that they deserve to be played with, tackled, dragged, and most often literally ripped off the clothes-line!

No matter how devoted the training, being shown a better way and freed from the old pattern, our four-legged friends think they know better and for any one of a number of reasons (instinct, excitement, simple forgetfulness or even revenge) they revert to the old habit.

If I think honestly about this, we (well at least I), are not much different.

Today’s text highlights this for us and instructs us to ‘stand-firm!’ Being Christ’s disciples does not insulate us from the works of the evil one. Like the pets that we have just discussed, we can, and will continue to be tempted and revert to our sinful ways and bondage to sin. Paul’s message to the Galatian’s is as valid today as it was at the time of his writing to them. We should resist any temptations to drift back or return to the hole that Christ has dragged us from - to freedom.        

We are not bound to sin like we once were. Christ has set us free and we need to walk forward in a disciplined manner. Standing firm in every second of every day, for each step we take, and each decision we make.   

PRAYER: Awesome God. I know that just because I am Your child, doesn’t mean that I am insulated from the works and temptations of the evil one. I know though, that You are with me, walking by my side as I journey on. Thank You for the freedom You have given me. Help me not to revert back to my old sinful habits, but to stand firm, resist the many worldly temptations that are tactfully laid before me, and live in the freedom that You have provided me.     Amen

Today's devotion written by Shane Burdack, LifeWay Epping