When The Law Is Finished With You -- It Slaughters You.

So as Paul concludes his theological argument he affirms: “Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.” (Galatians 4:31, NIV).

Now, he moves into that topic in Galatians 5:1 (NIV) with this exhortation:

¹ 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.

The imperative verb is στήκω [pronounced stay·ko] meaning to: "to stand firm; to persevere, to persist, etc." [1] Herein we see the purpose of Christ saving us: to set us free and therefore the command to stand in that freedom is a natural appeal on the basis of that purpose.  "Paul commands the Galatians to keep the agitators from turning them from freedom to slavery—from faith in Christ to life under the law." [2]

"Since the Jews of Paul's time spoke of "taking the yoke of the law upon oneself," it is likely that Paul is referring to such an expression here. To the Jews the taking up of the law's yoke was good; indeed, it was the essence of religion. To Paul it was assuming the yoke of slavery." [3]  "If ye will be made free (say they) from sin and death, and obtain righteousness and life, then fulfil the law, be circumcised, observe days, months, times, and years, offer sacrifices, and do such other like things; then shall this obedience of the law justify and save you . . . This liberty then is not given unto us by the law, or for our righteousness, but freely for Christ’s sake: which thing Paul here witnesseth and plainly declareth throughout his whole Epistle." [4] 

Then Luther gives a great illustration:

"For, like as oxen drawing in the yoke with great toil, receive nothing thereby but forage and pasture, and when they be able to draw the yoke no more, are appointed to the slaughter; even so, they that seek righteousness by the law, are captives and oppressed with the yoke of bondage, that is to say, with the law; and when they have tired themselves a long time in the works of the law with great and grievous toil, in the end this is their reward, that they are miserable and perpetual servants." [4] 

So we take a tenacious, resolute stand against any who would draw us back into slavery to the Law, bondage to self-effort.  We fight against who would make our performance meritorious in salvation.  We have been freed from such obligation by the precious and efficient blood of Christ.

Free from the law O happy condition
Jesus hath bled and there is remission
Cursed by the law and bruised by the fall
Grace hath redeemed us once for all [5]

Father, this is war.  The Enemy has come in to spy our our freedom; and then mounted a subversive, covert assault on our soul. Clothed with the garb of religion and good works, he has summoned us again to lay our necks under the instrument of bondage and despair.  But Oh thanks be to You, Father, for the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.  He came to set us free. Condemnation cannot hold us.  Guilt cannot hold us.  Death cannot hold us.  For if the Son has set us free we are free indeed.  Grant to us the discernment to be able to spot the subtle movements of the Enemy attempting to trap us again into this life of incarceration.  Grant grace to withstand the subtle approaches that he uses.  Grant us and You have commanded us the perseverance to stand.  For Christ sake and our freedom, I pray.

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1. Strong, J. (2001). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

2. Barry, J. D., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible (Ga 5:1). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

3. Expositor's Bible Commentary, The, Pradis CD-ROM:Galatians/Exposition of Galatians/III. The Call to Godly Living (5:1-6:10)/A. Summary and Transition (5:1), Book Version: 4.0.2

4. Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 5:1). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

5. Philip Paul Bliss, Free From the Law, © Words: Public Domain, Music: Public Domain