12 Christian Freedom

In this next section Paul begins his transition into a serious discussion of the freedom we have in Christ and shows again that we are not under the bondage of the Law. Remember the Apostle was a masterful lawyer and throughout this book is making his case for the defense of the Gospel. This is actually beginning the section of his practical defense of Christian Liberty. We can now see the practical application of the New Covenant in the life of the Christian.

Gal 5:1
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Paul defended his apostolic authority and the doctrine of justification by grace through faith. The Christian has the option of lawlessness or godliness. Christianity can be described as a life apart from Law, a life apart from license, a life according to the Spirit and a life of service. It is this balance that we must understand in order to fully realize our life in Christ. It is crucial that we are fully cognizant of this balance of freedom between the Law and license. In other words, we don’t have the massive personal restrictions of the Law but at the same time we don’t have license to sin.