God has come to set the prisoner free. Satan is looking for those he can enslave. People want to cast off restraint but it is Jesus who has come to set us free. It is freedom but not a licence to sin.

1 – Set you free from legalism

There is bondage with legalism. There were those who were deserting the gospel because of those who were perverting the gospel. This is what Satan tries to do. Satan has a substitute gospel (vs. 7-10) It is not the messenger who validates the message. Even if an angel descends in glory from heaven it is still not the messenger that validates but the message itself. All roads do NOT lead to heaven. What authenticates the gospel? Paul gives us three tests:-

• The source test – It is not the invention of man. It is God’s revelation. It needs to come from God himself.
• The salvation test- We are saved by grace through faith. It cannot be earned, bought, etc.
• The subject test – It is the grace of Christ. It is the gospel of CHRIST. Jesus is not a good way to heaven; he is the only way to heaven.

2 – Set you free from criticism

The law was rules, requirements and restrictions. The law showed us that we could not be saved by the law that we needed to be saved by grace. The Pharisees make a list of extra 613 laws. They were making a list and checking it twice looking to find out who was naughty or nice. Peter gave room to these people for a while. Paul was a freedom fighter. Watch out for those today who are like the Pharisees by drawing up more rules, requirements and restrictions.

3 – Set you free from fatalism (Galatians 4:3, 9-10).

There were people who were wrapped in astrology to determine their fate. I would not even read this out of morbid curiosity. It is a disaster when “the stars were not right”. This is no disaster with the Christian.

4 – The dynamic of a life of liberty (Galatians 2:20)

It is the cross that tells us of our freedom. I am set free from the chains of legalism, criticism and fatalism.

• An executed life – I am crucified with Christ.
• You died with Christ. He did not just take your sins to the cross. He took YOU to the cross.
• An exchanged life – Jesus rose from the dead and YOU rose with him.
• An energised life – His faith and life is in YOU. That is true freedom and liberty. God can set any old bush on fire. It is God who matters.

Do not let anyone put you under bondage again.

Categories: Galatians