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. -Galatians 5:1

The Greek word for “free” in this verse is “eleutheroo” – to make free, exempt from liability, set free, or my favorite word out of this definition- to liberate. If you’ve been following me for any period of time, you know I LOVE the HELPS Word-studies & Thayer’s Greek Lexicon definitions. HELPS says “… (figuratively) to remove the restrictions of sin (darkness) because delivered by God into true spiritual liberty (growth). Thayer’s  goes on to say “to make free, set at liberty: from the dominion of sin; one from another’s control; that we might be possessors of liberty.”

Let’s break that down: We have been liberated from the restrictions, dominion, & control of the sin nature in our lives. God has delivered us from it, & brought us into a place of spiritual growth. Spiritual liberty now belongs to us!

In John 8:32, Jesus tells us that the truth will set us free, & a few verses later (v36) says “who the Son set free, is free indeed.” The Son IS the Truth that sets us free! (John 14:6) Free from what, though? What is this “yoke of slavery?” For those who may not be familiar with what a yoke is: a yoke is a device fastened over the necks of two animals & attached to farm equipment such as a cart, which they are to pull together. The yoke of slavery here, represents us being yoked together with sin, pulling the heavy cart of all the hardships it brings into control over our lives- sickness, disease, poverty, loneliness, anger, bitterness, greed, lust, victim mentalities. Can you see it?

Now picture this: You are yoked together with Christ, & the cart y’all are pulling is full of blessings- healing, prosperity, love, generosity, righteousness, victory, adoption into God’s family. THIS is what He meant when He said “my yoke is easy & my burden is light” (Matthew 11:30).

For the Lord is the Spirit, & wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. -2 Corinthians 3:17

Throughout the book of John, Christ made promises to send us a Comforter, to be with us forever, teach us all things, testify about Him, & always be in close fellowship with us (John 14:16,26, 15:26, 16:7). That Comforter is the Holy Spirit of the Lord. Because we have Him, we no longer live under the fear of trying to fulfill a law that is impossible to fulfill (Acts 15:10, Romans 8:15); we have been set free from that burden, through Christ- it is no longer our heavy cart to pull!

Now what do we do with this freedom we have graciously been given? We certainly don’t continue trying to pull the cart we have been delivered from! We now share the Good News of this freedom with others! This is done in many ways, but one of the best ways is to live a life of love towards others, serving & helping others in any way we can (Galatians 5:13). When we bless others in love, the light of the Good News we carry shines bright!

Be love to someone today. Bless someone, today. Let your light shine bright!