Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty with which Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. I. THE LIBERTY OF THE SUBJECTS THAT ARE FREED. Christian liberty stands — 1. In immunity from evil. (1) From that which is evil in itself. Satan; sin (a) in the fault, (b) in the punishment — whether the inward slavery of an accusing conscience or outward wrath of God, death, and damnation. (2) From that which is evil to us, as (a) burdensome traditions, (b) the law, either ceremonial or moral, as regards either the obligation or the curse. 2. Less than this is bondage, more than this is looseness. II. THE PREROGATIVE OF THE KING OF GLORY THAT HATH FREED THEM. 1. They could not free themselves. 2. Angels could not free them. 3. Only Christ could, whose ransom was infinite. 4. Only Christ has, whose love is infinite. How? (1) By force; in that He hath conquered him whose captives we were. (2) By purchase; in that He hath paid the full price to him to whom we were forfeited. We could not be free by birth since we were sons of wrath; nor by service since we were vassals of Satan. 5. Christ has freed us from seven Egyptian masters. (1) The bondage of sin by the Spirit of Christ (Romans 6:12; Romans 7:14; 2 Peter 2:19; Romans 7:24, 25; 2 Corinthians 3:17). (2) An accusing conscience by the blood of Christ (Hebrews 10:19, 22). (3) The wrath of God by faith in Christ (Hebrews 10:27; Romans 5:1). (4) The tyranny of Satan by the victory of Christ (2 Timothy 2:26; Hebrews 2:14). (5) The curse of the law by the satisfaction of Christ (Galatians 3:10, 13). (6) The law of ceremonies by the consummation of Christ (Romans 8:2; Ephesians 2:14-16). (7) Human ordinances by the manumission and instruction of Christ (Galatians 4:10, 11; 1 Corinthians 7:23). III. THE MAINTENANCE OF THE LIBERTY WHICH THE POWER OF THAT GREAT PREROGATIVE HATH ACHIEVED. 1. How strange that such an exhortation should be necessary. In the case of a liberated bird or an emancipated slave it would be superfluous. 2. Yet facts prove it necessary in the case of Christ's freemen. (Bishop Hall.) Parallel Verses KJV: Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. |
    |