We've been considering how through Christ we've been set free, there is now no condemnation (Rom. 8:1) for those who are in Christ Jesus. In today's verse Paul is challenging his listeners not to fall back into the old habits of our past but to resist the temptation and stand firm.
It won't be easy and there is no easy button. But we can stand firm in Christ. The question is how do we position ourselves. Who do we line up with? I was reminded of two passages. The first goes back to Jehosaphat in 2 Chronicles 20:17 where he instructed his listeners "You do not have to fight this battle. Position yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD. He is with you,".
The second one is from Ephesians 6:10-18, the familiar passage on the "full armor of God" where Paul starts off the passage with "be strong in the Lord and the power of His might".
Do you feel like you are under an onslaught? We've been liberated. Take your stand in your freedom, position yourselves with God and His people, and stay the course, in faith working through love (v.6).
Blessings,
Mike
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Galatians 5 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Freedom of the Christian
5 Christ has liberated us to be free. Stand firm then and don't submit again to a yoke of slavery. 2 Take note! I, Paul, tell you that if you get yourselves circumcised, Christ will not benefit you at all. 3 Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to keep the entire law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by the law are alienated from Christ; you have fallen from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision accomplishes anything; what matters is faith working through love.
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