Freedom

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. - Galatians 5:1

This verse has been coming to mind quite often of late. Again, I've been struggling with thoughts and emotions regarding choices that I have made which I feel are not the 'right' or 'best' choices. Choices which I continue to make even while struggling with guilt and shame.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free!
When we allow thoughts of guilt and shame to rule us, we become entrapped by them and are unable to look to God. These thoughts keep us inexorably tied to our sin. When we refuse to turn to and accept God's grace and forgiveness, we are not free, and we are not living as Christ meant us to.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free!
This means that we need not be governed by any human standard, not even our own self-imposed ones.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free!
We have already been set free, yet so often we live as though we have not because we are still tethered to the sin we have already confessed, refusing to let go of it to receive the forgiveness that has already been granted to us.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then!
Take a stand in Christ. Do not allow past sins, present sins, or future sins to strip you of the freedom you have in Christ. Confess your sin, repent of it, and then take God at His immutable word, that, "...as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." (Psalm 103:12) and that, when we confess our sin, He is, "...faithful and just to forgive us our sin and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1John 1:9).

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery!
No matter the yoke, man-made, self-made, societal...do not take it on! Do not try to live up to some personal or worldly standard God has not called you to. Take Him at His unchangeable word. He does not lie to or trick us and He sees our heart, knows our thoughts and is intimate with our daily struggles. He does not wish for us to live with extra, self-imposed burdens or to constantly be oppressed by endlessy recounting confessed sin.

He knows everything about each and every one of us and still loves and approves of us.

It is for freedome that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery!