OUR GLORIOUS LIBERTY AND FREEDOM IN CHRIST.

MINISTER: PASTOR W. F. KUMUYI

TEXT: GALATIANS 5:1-6

Before we came to Christ we were in bondage, bound by all the things taken into our lives. But now that we have come to Christ, there is liberty.

POINT 1: FREEDOM FROM THE YOKE OF BONDAGE THROUGH CHRIST, GALATIANS 5:1

As we come to Christ, it is not just a nominal relationship, but an actual and definite relationship which touches the heart. There is the possibility that after the freedom, liberation, conversion and salvation, to be brought again to the bondage of sin.

i. Total Liberation From The Bondage Of Sin, Galatians 5:1; John 8:30-36; Romans 6:18-22; Romans 8:1-4.

When Christ takes up a life and sets it free, it is not a partial freedom or a partial salvation, but a total liberation, a total freedom and a total salvation from sin.

ii. True Liberty Through Believing In The Saviour, Luke 4:18, 36; Romans 8:21, 29; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; Galatians 5:13, 19-25.

As there is a true liberty, there is a false idea, a false notion and a false understanding of liberty in Christ. God created us to express the image of Christ. But, hitherto, because we were bound in sin, we could not express this nature of Christ. But Jesus then came to give us the liberty. As Christ lived a life free of the superstitions of the society, so are we expected to live likewise. Don’t misunderstand and misinterpret the liberty.

iii. Transformed Living Of True Believers As Saints, Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 3:10-17; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15.

Now that you set free and delivered, you are to present every part of your body holy and acceptable unto God. We are set at liberty to demonstrate and live a changed and transformed life. It is not that old things ARE PASSING AWAY (little by little), but that old things HAVE PASSED away. Don’t allow hunger to express anger from you.

POINT 2: FALLING UNDER THE YOKE AND BONDAGE OF CIRCUMCISION, GALATIANS 5:2-4; ACTS 15:1, 10.

If after we have gotten the liberty through Christ, if we go back to the superstitions of the society, it will cancel the effect of Christ’s work of grace in our lives.

i. The Fallen From Grace Through Heathen’s Circumcision, Galatians 5:2-4; Galatians 3:8-9; Galatians 1:6-9; Revelation 2:4-5.

Those who go into other things like ceremonies, traditions, superstitions, etc., apart from faith only in Christ, they have fallen from grace. When you add, subtract and make allowance for your deficiency, weaknesses and backsliden nature, that is another gospel.

ii. The Falsehood Of Glory In Historic Circumcision, Galatians 6:12-13; Romans 2:17-29; Titus 1:10-11, 16; Galatians 6:15.

There are some people who don’t want others to have a change of character. All they want is to have influence and control over people and make them look away from Christ, and look instead up to them for direction.

iii. The Foundation For Godliness In Heart Circumcision, Deuteronomy 30:6; Romans 2:28-29; Colossians 2:11; Hebrews 8:6, 8, 10.

Actually, as Abraham was given the circumcision, the Jews of old gloried in it. But understand that the circumcision of their flesh done on the eighth day was not made by the decision and obedience of the Jews themselves, but a decision and obedience made by their parents and forefathers. There was no repentance, consecration or commitment required for that circumcision from the Jews (because they were only eight days old then and so not old enough to take that decision by themselves). It is the heart circumcision which is a personal decision taken by a person who makes a deliberate intention and commitment which brings about the change and a heart circumcision.

POINT 3: FAITH WHICH WORKETH BY LOVE IN THE NEW CREATURE, GALATIANS 5:5-6.

The hope that righteous people have is what we wait for by faith.

i. The Hope Of The Righteous By Faith In The Lord, Galatians 5:5; Romans 5:1, 5; 1 Peter 1:3-5; 1 John 3:1-3.

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