Deeper Life #34

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

—Galatians 5:1

THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS our Judge. Any standard of spiritual measurement and examination must be based on Him. This fundamental consideration is many times ignored.

Too often we find saints in bondage to one another’s personal convictions. They suppose freedom will be theirs only if they live according to these human convictions. A false spirituality has increased this bondage among so many of us. This false spirituality is overly concerned lest it offends anyone’s scruples.

Did our Lord hesitate to offend the scruples of the religious Jews when He strolled through the cornfields on the Sabbath and allowed His disciples to pluck the ripe ears and eat them? Did our Lord hesitate to heal the afflicted on the Sabbath, for fear of offending the Pharisees?

There is a major difference between “offending” other people and “causing them to stumble.” Our Lord offended many, but He never caused one to stumble. His disciples must know the difference also!

Prayer Thought: Deliver me from bondage to other Christians. May I truly enjoy freedom in Christ.

SUGGESTED READING: Galatians 5:1–16