“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 NIV
The world burdens us by a yoke of slavery
because we have to do certain priorities to get high position. Religion burdens
us this way too, in order to please God or to receive blessings from Him.
However, “it is for freedom that Christ
set us free,” so we do not have to do any work to please God. “For it is by grace you have been saved,
through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by
works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ
Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:8-10) The only way to please
Him is through faith (Hebrews 11:6) and by believing in Him, we
have to be workmanship of God as well by doing the will of God through Jesus
Christ. This means that without faith in Him, all of our work for Him would be
useless, because if we would only have to do work for Him, then all of us would
be already dead (James 2:14-26). This is because nobody can
match God’s holiness that we begin to feel unworthy to see the actual Lord’s
face. For example, the prophet Isaiah once saw the Lord’s face and said, ‘“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am
ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of
unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”’
(Isaiah 6:5) Nonetheless, if we belong to
Jesus Christ and we are children of God (John 1:12-13), then we are becoming perfect
and holy in Christ as we are obeying God and doing His will (1 Peter 1:13-17). “For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being
made holy.” (Hebrews 10:14) In addition to this, the
word of God states, “Once you were
alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil
behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death
to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—if
you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope
held out in the gospel…” (Colossians 1:21-23)
At one time we too
were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and
pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But
when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because
of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through
the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us
generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by
his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a
trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who
have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good.
These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. (Titus 3:3-8)
In fact, Jesus Christ has declared, “Come to me, all you who are weary and
burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from
me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your
souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30) Thus, in order to be
truly righteous and holy before the Lord, we ought to abide in the Spirit (2 Peter 1:3-11; John 14:15-27) and the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Psalm 1:1-3). “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged
sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it
judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) In addition, we have to “make every effort to keep the unity of the
Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3) beccause the word of God
declares, “Make every effort to live in
peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
(Hebrews 12:14) This is also because all of
us are called to be the children of God (Matthew 5:9), due to the fact that we have
been created to be the image of God (Genesis 1:27). “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the
image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and
sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also
justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” (Romans 8:29-30)
Therefore, as
God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion,
kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive
one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord
forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all
together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of
Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to
peace. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:12-15)
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