Freedom by Grace
The freedom that we have in Christ is the message of the Church of the administration of the fullness of Grace. The Old Testament law prepared us so that we would be ready to be freed from the bondage of the Law. This is the message of Romans Chapter 8 for Israel and for all who would believe the truth of the gospel of grace. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own son in the likeness of sinful sin and for sin condemned sin in the flesh that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh but after the spirt. Jesus came so that we may be made the righteousness of God in Him.
The Law was given so that God’s people could see that they were guilty in their own fallen nature. The freedom that we have is only by the grace of God through the payment for sin that Jesus made on our behalf. Ecclesiastes 1:13, Man was given travail so that man would be humbled by it. Man was not made to keep the sabbath, rather, Sabbath was made for man. The Sabbath was given by God so that Man could stop working, rest, and remember why we were created. Man was not created for work but to serve and to know the Lord God Jehovah. When we realize that we were not made for work, then we are free to work with joy as unto the Lord and not unto man. The reason for existence is not for work, but to know and love God. Our work is to keep us humble so that we can humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God.
Fear is the basis for legalism. When I’m threatened, legalism is the fall-back position that tells me, “I’m doing the right thing.” However, freedom is not within our own power. Freedom is dependent on the level to which we submit to him. Galatians 5:1 says, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” The freedom that we have is to serve Christ with total abandonment from a heart of love. Jesus said, “If you continue in my Word, then you shall be my disciplined followers. And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall. Set you free. If the son therefor shall set you free then you shall be free indeed.”
Freedom isn’t free. It was paid for by the full payment for sin on our behalf by Jesus Christ. For he who was without sin was made the perfect sacrifice for sin on our behalf that we may be made the righteousness of God in him.. What has washed away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. O blessed is the flow, that washed me white as snow; no other fount I know…Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
It wasn’t the nails that kept Jesus hanging on the cross. Rather it was for the love that he had for us. He for the joy that was set before him endured the cross and is seated on the right hand of God. The joy he had was your salvation and mine.
Jesus’ perfect sacrifice on our behalf is the payment for our freedom from the bondage of legalism and sin. We’ve been set free not because of how good we are but because of how good He is. What amazing grace!
May God richly bless you!
Your brother in Christ,
Michael