Living Free
By Darlene Franklin
“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.” Galatians 5:1
It’s difficult to imagine someone choosing to live enslaved.
There are many kinds of yokes, such as physical addiction. People may quit taking a drug, smoking, or drinking for a long time. It’s always sad when they willingly take up the habit again.
Sexual sins, gambling, debt, and anger can also ensnare us, and whatever enslaves us ultimately stands between us and God.
Sometimes even good behaviors can disrupt our freedom. In ancient Galatia, legalistic Jewish believers were attempting to exert influence on their brothers and sisters. They claimed one must follow the Old Testament law in order to be right with God, but thanks to Jesus, this isn’t true.
When people admit their sins, big and little, God cleanses us, restores us to Himself, and frees us from sin’s power. This is the best and truest liberation a person can experience, for as John 8:36 says, “if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
Christ paid a high price to free us from striving and trying to earn God’s favor. May we learn how to live, daily, in that freedom.
Darlene Franklin, a contributor to Wholly Loved’s devotional project, is a best-selling author of fiction and nonfiction works. Her claim to fame is that she continues to write from a nursing home. She keeps going because God keeps giving her more assignments. She’s written more than fifty-five fiction and nonfiction books, including Pray Through the Bible in a Year and of Cash and Cats in Love Comes on Kitten Paws. Check out a complete list of her books on Amazon and keep up with her online at http://www.facebook.com/DarleneFranklinfun/.
Visit WhollyLoved.com for more inspirational messages or to book them for your next women's event
FREE Podcast from the Wholly Loved Team!
Listen to our FREE faith podcast, Faith Over Fear! You can find all of our episodes on LifeAudio.com. Listen to our episode on fighting spiritual battles by clicking the play button below:
Originally published Friday, 16 February 2024.
SHARE
