Paul’s message to the Galatians reminds us of a tremendous blessing we have as Christians: Christ has made us free. But with that freedom comes a responsibility. Paul tells us, “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). We have been given liberty in Christ, and we must be careful not to surrender it.

First, we have freedom from the Law of Moses. The old law served an important purpose. It revealed sin, taught God’s people, and still provides examples we can learn from. But it is no longer the covenant under which we are justified. Christ brought a better covenant with better promises. If we try to return to the old law as our means of justification, Paul warns that we separate ourselves from the grace we have in Christ.

We also have freedom from the bondage of sin. Jesus said, “Whoever commits sin is a slave of sin,” but He also gave us this wonderful promise: “If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:34, 36). Sin does not have to remain your master. Through Jesus Christ, forgiveness is available, and you can live a new life.

Christ has also given us freedom from the religious traditions of men. Traditions can have a place in our individual lives, but we must never turn human traditions into commandments from God. Jesus warned about people who honored God with their lips while allowing human traditions to replace His Word. We must always ask whether what we practice comes from God or merely from man.

Our liberty also means freedom from the works of the flesh. Yet Christian freedom is not permission to do whatever we desire. Paul warns us not to use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh. Hatred, jealousy, sexual immorality, uncontrolled anger, selfish ambition, drunkenness, and other sinful practices still endanger our souls. Christ did not free us so that we could return to sin; He freed us so that we could live differently.

That is why we must walk in the Spirit. When we follow the Spirit rather than the desires of the flesh, something begins to show in our lives: “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22–23). These qualities demonstrate what our liberty in Christ is supposed to produce.

So how do we protect this freedom? We must handle the old law properly, make full use of the blessings we have in Christ, deal cautiously with human traditions, and follow the Spirit diligently. We can learn from the Old Testament without placing ourselves back under its covenant. We can enjoy personal traditions without turning them into religious requirements. And instead of allowing the flesh to control us, we can set our minds on spiritual things.

Most importantly, we must make use of what Christ has provided. His blood offers forgiveness from sin. The sermon calls us to hear the gospel, believe in Jesus Christ, repent of our sins, confess Jesus as the Son of God, and be baptized for the remission of sins. Then we are called to continue living faithfully. And when we stumble as Christians, we can repent, pray, and seek God’s forgiveness.

Christ has set us free—but are you living in that freedom? Are you standing firmly in the liberty Christ has provided, or are you allowing sin, human traditions, or something else to bring you back into bondage?

We have been called to liberty. Let us stand fast in it, walk in the Spirit, and faithfully enjoy the freedom that can only be found in Jesus Christ.