“Stand Fast in the Liberty of Christ”

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1

Those in the churches of Galatia had experienced freedom in Christ. Certain ones had come in among them seeking to destroy the liberty they had found in Christ. Paul encourages them to stand firm and not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage. To be entangled is to be trapped or ensnared in something from which it is difficult to escape. One instance where this word is used pertains to an attempt the Pharisees made against Jesus.

Jesus condemned certain Lawyers and Pharisees in Luke 11:37-52. “And as He said these things to them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to assail Him vehemently, and to cross-examine Him about many things, lying in wait for Him, and seeking to catch Him in something He might say, that they might accuse Him.” Luke 11:53-54 The word assail is the same word as entangled in Galatians 5:1, the OKJ uses, “urged” in Luke 11:53. The scribes and Pharisees were hoping to entangle Him with His words in such a way that it would be difficult, if not impossible for Him to escape. Although they failed miserably this was their intent.

The Galatians were facing a danger that would likewise be difficult and seemingly impossible to escape. Based upon certain statements in the first four chapters some had fallen. Others were in danger of being entangled in the yoke of bondage by seeking justification in a way where it could not be a reality. To be yoked together, pictures two animals joined under a wooden beam. The only way the animals could be successful is if they moved in the same direction. If the Galatians yoked themselves to a Law that could not justify, they could not be free. Bondage and freedom cannot travel the same path.

“Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.” Galatians 5:2-4

If the Galatians were to receive circumcision, as an act necessary for justification, Christ would be of no benefit to them. To accept one act of the Law being necessary for justification, obligated one to keep the entirety of the Law. This resulted is separation from Christ and a fall from grace.

“For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” James 2:10

We learn from Paul’s letter to the Galatians that the Christian can fall from the grace by which he or she was saved. The one set free may return to a state of bondage by seeking justification in a way other than faith in Christ. This is NOT to say that we fall in and out of grace. The Christian fully expects and anticipates justification by faith. There is assurance in Christ, and we are always saved in Christ. In Christ being the key. The Galatians had fallen from Grace because they were no longer walking in Christ. They had walked away from Christ, picked up the yoke of bondage, and joined themselves to guilt and oppression. If you have been set free in Christ, standfast and be not entangled again in the yoke of bondage.