“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1, ESV)
Alexis De Tocqueville, a French philosopher visited America in 1831 to understand democracy in our country. He has often been quoted as saying, “America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.” However, there is no real evidence that he made this statement. However, in his treatise, “Democracy in America,” we may see this sentiment communicated. “Liberty cannot be established without morality, nor morality without faith.” In his treatise, he also wrote this statement.
“For my own part, I doubt whether man can ever support at the same time complete religious independence and entire political freedom. And I am inclined to think that, if faith be wanting in him, he must be subject; and if he be free, he must believe.”
Now you may have a lot of opinions regarding De Tocqueville, but these two statements ring true. It is impossible to experience true freedom apart from religious faith. However, there is a freedom from religion that is often very important.
Consider the serious issue with which Paul contended in this letter to the Galatians. In essence, the legalists offered a religious system to people. However, Paul indicated that this did not grant the people freedom, but actually made them slaves. Only faith in Christ could truly set people free. Yes, many will say that Christianity is a religious system, but it is not a system that enslaves. True Christianity is about the freedom one has from a system of self-justification. It is a system that does not require a man to do things to save himself.
Christianity is a religion based upon the finished work of Christ. He was the only one in all of history who was born without a sin nature and who never sinned. Yet in His death on the cross, He paid the penalty of our sin perfectly and completely. Paul presented only one requirement for us, that was faith in Jesus Christ alone. This walk of faith is what transforms one’s life, which by the indwelling presence of the Spirit produces a new quality of life. One in which the qualities of Christ are manifested in increasing measure with maturity.
So, one might say that all religious systems are one of faith. And this is true since to follow anything takes faith. However, Christianity is drastically different from every other religion. Christianity has a Savior, Jesus Christ, who has done all the work necessary and continues to do the work in those who have believed in Him.
To this end, Paul wrote, that we as believers must stand firm in the truth of the gospel. It is not works of human effort that justify or sanctify us before God. Our approval before God is through our relationship with Jesus that came by faith.
Therefore, we must stand firm and never be lured back into a system of self-justification. For such would like putting a yoke of bondage upon our own necks. No, we were saved for something much greater than this. We were saved to breath the air of freedom in our lungs. To enjoy the blessing of life by the Spirit of Jesus within us.
Renewing the Heart 