Christ Sets Us Free
It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore, keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. —Galatians 5:1
While attending Moody Bible Institute, I felt God’s call to work with gang members in neighborhoods around Chicago. Metro Chicago Youth for Christ introduced me to a man named Jose. As we did outreach together, Jose became not only my mentor but also a close friend.
Jose had a rough past. He knew what it was like to be a successful gangster. He lived the gang life, survived a shooting, and rose through the leadership ranks. However, it wasn't until God gave him the courage to leave the gang life and offered him a new life with Him that he was able to bring his wife Sheila and their four boys along into freedom. Paul talks about the kind of freedom Jose discovered in Galatians 5:1, “It was for freedom that Christ set us free.” Jose built a stable life that included a job, family, freedom from street politics, and a break from law enforcement.
As the novelty of the miracle of freedom began to fade, Jose started to see a shadow of freedom in the life he had once lived. Paul anticipates believers being tempted to exercise their new freedom selfishly, ultimately choosing slavery under sin. He issues the warning: “Do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” Why would a believer abandon radical freedom for the yoke of sin?
We might be tempted to judge Jose’s decisions, but his temptation isn’t much different from our own. For Jose, his decisions seemed like freedom. In God’s radical “freedom,” he was on the societal fringes as one of many former felons doing factory work. In his old neighborhood, he had acceptance and recognition for his leadership, courage, and bravery.
For us, maybe gaining acceptance means allowing our boyfriend or girlfriend to cross physical boundaries we've established. Or perhaps recognition is posting something on social media that enhances our status at the expense of others.
While the neighborhood offered relational benefits effortlessly, Jose needed to invest in his relationship with his wife. For us, maybe taking a shortcut in relationships means choosing images on a computer, working late with a coworker we feel connected to, or filing divorce papers to avoid the difficulty of compromise and self-reflection.
From a short-term perspective, it’s easy to confuse these freedoms, which is why Paul uses the image of a yoke—a farm tool used to guide plow animals while bearing a heavy load. Jose’s yoke took away his family, placing him under the heavy burden of guilt, shame, addiction, and leading him to a decision that cost five lives and resulted in a life sentence.
Jose’s yoke cost him everything. Yours may look different, but the danger is the same. Most of us won’t face the same choices he did, but we all know what it’s like to feel the pull of the “old neighborhoods”—the shortcuts, habits, or patterns that promise relief but only trap us back into slavery. Paul’s warning in Galatians 5:1 remains just as relevant to us as it was to Jose: “It is for freedom that Christ set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
So, let me ask you: What “old neighborhood” still whispers to you, offering false freedom? What would it look like this week to say no to that yoke and yes to the freedom Jesus has already secured for you?
Here’s the challenge: Take one step. Maybe it’s confessing a struggle to a trusted friend. Maybe it’s deleting something that continually entices you. Maybe it’s starting a new rhythm of prayer or Scripture to strengthen your walk. Don’t just think about it … pick one step of obedience today.
Because the truth is, freedom in Christ isn’t passive. We don’t drift into it; we stand firm in it. And when we do, we not only walk lighter ourselves, but we shine His light into a world chained by false freedoms.
If this encouraged you, check out more articles from our Flatirons Spiritual Formation Team for practical tools, encouragement, and ways to grow in your faith and leadership. Click here.