Day 263: Living in Freedom

Today’s Scripture: Galatians 5:1-12

Central Thought: True freedom comes only from following Christ.

The Gentile believers in Galatia had discovered freedom in Christ. The Judaizers, however, wanted to bring these Gentile believers under the Law. But obedience to the Law could not bring freedom from sin because the Law does not have the power to break the bondage of sin. Turning to the Law would bring these believers back under bondage. They would lose the freedom they had in Christ. Not only would these Gentile believers lose their freedom if they turned to the Law, but they would also lose their relationship with Christ.

There are many issues in life that can cause us to lose our focus on the importance of our relationship with Christ. It is easy to become overwhelmed and discouraged when life’s difficulties come our way. We might even begin to question God’s love for us and wonder why He has allowed bad things to happen to us.

In these times, when our faith begins to waiver, we need to remember Peter’s words in John 6:68,69: ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God” (NIV).

We need to remember that the only way we can have freedom from sin is through our relationship with Christ. There is nothing else we can do or no other religion we can turn to that can provide this freedom.

As you face the challenges of this day, do not let anything turn you away from your relationship with Christ and the freedom it brings.

Devotional Prayer: Lord, help me to strengthen my relationship with You as I enjoy the true freedom from bondage that comes only through a personal relationship with Christ.

Today’s Bible Reading: Isaiah 30:12-33:12; Galatians 5:1-12; Psalm 63:1-11; Proverbs 23:22