Freedom vs. Religion

This morning I have been thinking about two important verses from John 8:32, 36 NIV:
[32] "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” [36] "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

These are such important verses about our freedom! We are set free from the law by the Truth, and by the Son, from our service to the law and all its requirements. We are called to a place of freedom, why then do we take back the slavery of religion? As Paul discusses in His letter to the Galatians, we must not submit ourselves once again to the law, which was the basis of their religion.

Galatians 5:1, 4 NIV
[1] "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." (The law)
[4] "You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace."

What an important reflection for us. We must look at our lives and see if we are embracing Jesus, and the grace that is available in Him. Are we walking in the grace, or are we tying to be justified, or righteous through our own works, in accordance with some set of rules? We have been set free from all the requirements by Jesus. He died so that we didn't have to submit ourselves to the bonds of slavery, the requirements of the law. We must stand firm in our freedom!

We must not buy the lie that through some set of actions and right living we will be able to earn our way into relationship with God, or even into better relationship with God. We are His sons and daughters, beloved and free, from the moment we accept Jesus' sacrifice for our sins, and enter into relationship with Him. Our pursuit of Holy lives, becoming like Him, must be rooted in relationship and love for Him, not out of some set of rules we ascribe to according to the church of which we are members. We are not joining some religious army of holy people, but are joining a family, committed to loving one another. Let us spur one anther on towards freedom and love!

Amen!