There are none more to be pitied than a Christian who remains in bondage. It matters not which type of bondage, be it to sin or be it to a labor of self-righteousness. Either will waste the precious gift of grace and freedom for which our Savior Jesus Christ died.

In the book of Galatians, the apostle Paul addresses a group of Christians who are near to falling into the enslavement of legalist. In this, the only bible book authored by Paul that does not include within the opening lines a statement of commendations and courtesies toward his readers, the urgency of his message is overwhelming. In fact, there is an instant clarification of two truths. First, Paul establishes his person authority as a chosen apostle of Christ. This positions his right to write what follows in the book. Second, Paul reaffirms the single most constant and important of all Christian truths: Jesus Christ gave himself for our sins. The unspoken implication is that Jesus did this alone and with no other to stand in a position of sharing the work. He delivered us from the wickedness of this world. He did this according to the will of God the Father.

Thus Paul sets the stage for an assault against any who would place work, bondage to the laws, or bondage to the scriptural interpretations of men, above the labor of Jesus on the cross. Indeed, he is very adamant about the matter. Any who do so are not themselves children of the living God. The text reveals it in this manner:

“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed,” (Galatians 1:6-9).

Later on in the book, Paul uses a quote from the Old Testament as part of his argument concerning men who say that we must live under the law. And Paul speaks not only of the rules and legalist additions that men will add to scripture, but he also speaks of the law as written in the scripture when interpreted and applied to us by legalist people.

Author, teacher, and preacher Charles Swindoll often speaks of those who would throw the baby out with the dirty water. This is such wonderful imagery of what happens when Christians are always throwing scripture at other Christians. There are so many people who would glory in taking dominion over the flesh of another. They have a rule, and a verse, and a law for every moment of life. How miserable must they be in the face of a God who came to give us life and that more abundantly?

In the book of Matthew, we read the following words:

“At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light,” (Matthew 11:25-30).

Notice how that these truths are hidden from the wise and prudent (Read here self-righteous and arrogant). You cannot know the Father unless you know the Son, and knowing the son requires that you surrender your own efforts. Walking in the Spirit means hearing the voice of God through prayer, meditation, fasting, and scripture – and always with balance.

“Come all who labor,” he says. What is labor in this context if not that self-effort to make one’s self holy by works and deeds of obedience to the rules and laws of this world, to the wants of other people, and to the will of those who count themselves in full understanding and authority over every written word of scripture. No, it is not by your labor to keep laws that you will find rest, though this states not that the law is bad. For indeed the law is good. Paul addresses that in the book of Romans. But law cannot contain sin. No, rather Satan uses the law to excite men into sin.

“Come all who are heavy laden,” he says. What is this heavy load that the Christian endures if not that which is inflicted upon them by the self-proclaimed keepers of the law? Or is it the self-guilt that arises from our own failures against personal sin and the condemnation of those who have a continuous voice of what we must do and what we may not do? It is both. For if we are the servants of God, why do we seek to please men. Know you not that this too grieves the Holy Spirit of God. If you walk in the Spirit, you will not please the flesh. This means you will not sin, but it also means that you will not become a slave to those who would dominate your flesh by their personal convictions.

“Come unto me,” he said, “and I will give you rest.” Why is it that the yoke of Christ is easy? Why is the burden light?

Jesus wants total control of our lives. If we can shut down the personal battles for self-righteousness, and the fruitless flesh-based war against personal sins, we can learn to look at the world as Jesus sees it.

We begin to help others. Not by cramming law down their throat, though we must keep order within the church. Not by driving them to weep and to cry day after day over their shortcomings and failures. No. We help others by speaking words of edification, by ministering to their needs, by guiding without shoving, by discerning without judging, by loving without demands.

You can pack up the car of salvation so full of law that there is no place for any to set, and then you can push salvation around for the whole of your miserable life. Or you can throw out of the self-righteousness and self-works and pride so that you can ride in a car that is being driven by the Holy Spirit.

I have written simple words with simple meanings. If you are a true Christian, you know that no child of God will walk in deliberate sin without feeling the chastisement of the Father. Furthermore, you know that no child of God desires to walk in such a lifestyle. Stand when you must, but always do it with a measure of grace. This is living in peace.

If you are not a Christian, perhaps you are pondering the words I have written. Maybe you have been punched and kicked by a legalist. Perhaps you are bitter at the church. I do not tell you that Jesus permits us to walk as careless and wicked people. No, the Spirit of God will not abide in such as those who refuse to hear the full teachings of salvation. I do tell you that Jesus loves you like you have never in you life known love. He receives you into his flock with quickness and compassion. You don’t have set any records straight before you enter in. Just ask, by faith, and watch the most astonishing miracle ever conceived bring about within you a change, a confidence, and a peace like no one in this world can never know aside from Christ.

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About The Author:

Hi, rmharrington here.

Thank you for reading my articles and stories. My goal is to glorify God, lift up the name of Jesus, and to provide quality reading material.

Read about Christian Warfare, Dealing With Demons Of The Mind at:
http://jobshopesolutions.com/index.php?page=article&article_id=22570

or

A Pathway to Confident Christian Prayer at:
http://jobshopesolutions.com/index.php?page=article&article_id=22568

Thank you again.

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