Day 332 - Freedom from Law

Monica Barnes

“Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. 3 Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” - Galatians 5:2-6 NIV

What expectations or laws are alienating you from Christ?

In this Scripture, the Apostle Paul explains to the Church of Galatia how simply obeying specific laws, like circumcision, will not be what brings them closer to God. Paul tells them that the only way to honor Christ is to believe in Him and love others.

These verses do not mean we are free to break all rules and laws. However, it does mean we are to put Jesus first. The closer we get to Jesus through His Word, prayer, and worship, the more the Holy Spirit will naturally move us to live correctly. When we focus on laws first, we will mess up. When we mess up, we feel guilty; that is how the enemy steals our joy. That’s why Paul warns the people of Galatia (and anyone who reads God’s Word) that the more you put law first, the further you fall from grace.

“The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” If there are laws in the Bible you stress about or are confused about, I encourage you to speak to someone about them. Most importantly, bring them to Jesus in prayer. Let your relationship with Him give you freedom from unreachable expectations and laws. In Him, not in works or laws, we will find joy.

Next Steps

  • Think about it: Am I more focused on following rules or loving God and people?

  • Action Step: Pray with me: Lord, thank you for loving me beyond what I do. Thank you that the only thing you want from me is for me to love you back. Help me to reach for you first–in all things–rather than focusing on laws. Help me embrace the freedom you paid for so I can increase my joy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.