Daily Devotions
Galatians
"Stand fast therefore..."
Text: Galatians 5:1a
THE SALVATION CHRIST GIVES
The salvation that the Lord Jesus offers must never be taken for granted. One of the ramifications of the salvation we have in Christ is “liberty”.
Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ
has made us free, and do not be entangled again
with a yoke of bondage.Galatians 5:1
1. “Stand fast”
The following implications are to be borne in mind:-
a) To be unmoved.
b) To hold steady.
c) To resist anything and anyone who might try to subvert faith in Christ.
2. “Therefore”
a) It is logical to stand fast.
b) There are substantial reasons why we want to stand fast.
c) The inferential particle causes us to ponder again the salvation we have in Christ.
i) We are justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law (Galatians 2:16).
ii) We have eternal life in Christ as a result of our justification (Galatians 2:20).
iii) We have received the Spirit of promise in Christ (Galatians 3:2, 14).
iv) We have the promise of blessing given to Abraham (Galatians 3:14).
v) We are sons of God and therefore heirs (Galatians 4:6-7).
vi) We are children of the freewoman (Galatians 4:28, 31).
3. “And do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage”
a) As Gentiles
i) There was a yoke of bondage to idolatrous practices.
ii) Liberty is to be found in Christ and His salvation.
b) As Jews
i) There was also a yoke of bondage to the tradition of men.
ii) Christ came to set people free.
c) “Do not be entangled again”
Both experience and wisdom would teach a person never to be entangled again in bondage!