Freedom in Christ versus Falling from Grace

Everyone says they favor freedom, but people have different ideas about freedom. Tuesday marks the fortieth anniversary of the “Roe versus Wade” Supreme Court decision in which women were granted the freedom to abort their unborn babies. Many today believe strongly in what they call “freedom to choose”. Others of us believe that unborn children should have the freedom to live. National revolutions promise freedom, but often bring a more terrible tyranny than the one they replace.

This Sunday we will resume our study in Galatians. Paul is battling false teachers who have tried to put the Galatians back under the slavery to the law, even though Christ has set us free. Paul exhorts the believers to stand firm in their freedom and warns them that if they return to the law they will lose Christ (or fall from grace). You can't add human works to the gracious work of Christ. If you choose to seek salvation by law, you must keep the last perfectly.

The way of salvation is of the Spirit, not the flesh. We are saved by faith, not works. And we have a great hope of perfect righteousness received from God as a gift. This gracious salvation by faith is what matters, not outward ceremonies.