Galatians 5:1 – Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Christians should be the most liberated people in the world. Following the teaching and commandments of Christ makes us free. Furthermore, having cancelled the ultimate penalty for sin and new life in the Spirit, Jesus gives us the opportunity to thrive in a state that others might consider intolerable and constricting. If you are not convinced, consider how Paul and Silas sang for joy while imprisoned having been beaten for speaking the name of Jesus (Acts 16:12-28). How? Because their liberty was not hindered by their circumstances for their liberty was in the prevailing power of the Kingdom of God in their hearts.
As long as we flee from sin and look to Christ, we will not mind our earthly circumstances. When we rather embrace sin instead of Christ, we step into a trap. This trap holds us down until we repent turning back to Christ. Therefore we must stand fast by Christ knowing that His power prevails over the power of hell.
The clearest example of bondage is the plight of a slave. Slaves are told they have no rights or freedoms. However, even this state is no bar to the freedom given by the Savior. Instead of permission to do whatever we want, the Lord grants the ability to find righteousness, peace, and joy beyond natural explanation when we seek Him. This power is what gave Paul and Silas the ability to sing praises merely hours after being whipped and thrown into a dungeon.
So stick with Jesus, and He will keep you unstuck in the world.
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