Photo by Felix Rostig on Unsplash
Following Jesus means experiencing absolute freedom, not bondage, rules, and regulations.
Paul writes in Galatians 5:1 to remind the Christians: “So, Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.”
In verse 16, he says, “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.”
So, we can try to please God externally by doing good things, following rules, practicing religion, performing rituals, and following certain traditions. That might make us feel good because we try to do what we think will please God. Or we can invite Jesus into our lives and allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through us. This is internal because the Holy Spirit is present in our lives.
If you want to please God, invite Him into your life and watch the changes that will begin to happen in your life. We cannot DO spirituality, but we can BE spiritual because the Holy Spirit is living in us!
We can choose the law, rules, and regulations to change us, or we can choose to allow the Holy Spirit to live in us and produce His change in our lives!
I am thankful for the freedom Jesus brings into our relationship with our Heavenly Father! Lord, help me to walk in Your freedom today!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Pastor Ronald Squibb has been the International Christian Church (ICC) Lead Senior Pastor at Staten Island, New York, since 2011. He draws many experiences from his over 40 years as a pastor and significant emotional life experiences.
His new book, Following the Journey with Jesus, which he co-authored with Daniel McNaughton, was recently published and is getting rave reviews. His daily devotional appears in this publication.
