How can we avoid returning to spiritual bondage, as warned in Galatians 4:31? Our Identity: Free Children, Not Slaves “Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.” (Galatians 4:31) - Christ’s finished work places us permanently in the line of promise, not performance. - John 8:36 affirms, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” - Freedom is a fact; bondage resumes only when we forget who we are. Recognize and Reject Modern Forms of Bondage - Legalism: adding man-made rules to the gospel (Galatians 5:3-4). - License: abusing grace, sliding back into sin’s domination (Romans 6:1-2). - Fear-based religion: serving God to avoid punishment rather than from love (1 John 4:18). Regularly test teaching and personal habits against the pure gospel (Acts 17:11). Stand Firm in Sound Doctrine - Immerse in Scripture daily (Psalm 119:11). - Memorize key freedom passages (Galatians 5:1; Romans 8:1-2). - Sit under Christ-exalting preaching that centers on grace, not human effort (2 Timothy 4:2-4). Walk by the Spirit, Not the Flesh - Galatians 5:16: “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” - Invite the Spirit’s control through continual surrender (Ephesians 5:18). - Expect His fruit—love, joy, peace, etc.—to replace old slave-patterns (Galatians 5:22-23). Maintain Gospel Community and Accountability - Hebrews 10:24-25: meet regularly to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” - Share victories and temptations; isolation breeds relapse into bondage (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). - Submit to loving correction when drifting (Galatians 6:1). Practice Freedom through Loving Service - Galatians 5:13: “Do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another in love.” - Serving redirects attention from self to others, safeguarding against self-centered slavery. - Generosity, hospitality, and evangelism become practical proofs we remain free. Keep the Cross Central Every Day - Daily remember Christ’s substitution (1 Peter 2:24). - Celebrate the Lord’s Supper thoughtfully (1 Corinthians 11:26). - Sing gospel-rich hymns that rehearse redemption (Colossians 3:16). Await the Full Freedom to Come - Romans 8:23-25: our current liberty is the down payment on future glory. - Hope anchors perseverance; we fight bondage now because eternal freedom is guaranteed (1 Peter 1:3-5). Stay anchored in these practices, and the freedom declared in Galatians 4:31 becomes the freedom experienced—never returning to the chains Christ already broke. |
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