Western Light Devotion (Nov 07–13, 2021)
Author: a WLCN Member
SCRIPTURE VERSE
“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” (Gal 5:1 NIV).
SCRIPTURAL REFLECTION
The writer to the Galatians encourages us not to become slaves to sin. These sins can manifest in various ways. Sins such as pride, jealousy, and unforgiveness are not often experienced by others externally, but fester in the heart and create bitterness in the individual and strife in the church. Paul, in Romans 6:16–23 (NLT), explains that we become slaves of whatever we choose to obey. We can be slaves to sin, which leads to death, or we can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. Previously, we let ourselves be slaves to impurity and lawlessness, which led even deeper into sin. Now we must give ourselves to be slaves to righteous living, so that we will become holy. When we were slaves to sin, we were free from the obligation to do right. But what was the result? A feeling of shame about the things we used to do, things that end in eternal doom. But now, we are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now, we do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. We do not enjoy this freedom to become entangled again in sin, but to live righteously before God. As John 8:36 (NIV) states, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
PRAYER
Thank you, Lord, for true freedom; one that the world cannot give and cannot take away. Thank you for being a good Master; one whose yoke is easy and whose burden is light (Matt 11:30). Help us to stand firmly in the liberty for which Christ has made us free. Amen.