Our Daily Bread 31 August 2019 Devotional – Tight Circles

Key Verse: It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. – Galatians 5:1

Today’s Scripture: Galatians 5:1, 4–14 (NIV)

Today’s Insight
Circumcision was common in ancient Egyptian and Canaanite cultures (Jeremiah 9:25), but God made circumcision the physical sign of the covenant between Him and the Israelites (Genesis 17:11). Circumcision became the badge of Jewish spirituality; Gentiles became known as “the uncircumcision”—those outside of God’s love. Paul didn’t condemn circumcision in itself; he circumcised Timothy—a Greek—because of his ministry to the Jews (Acts 16:1–3). But Paul opposed the Judaizers who insisted it was needed for salvation (15:1–2). In the council of Jerusalem (vv. 6–29), the early church affirmed that salvation is by the grace of Christ alone (v. 11).

Message: A classmate gave my family a registered collie that had become too old to breed puppies. We soon learned this beautiful dog had, sadly, spent much of her life inside a small pen. She would only walk in tight circles. She couldn’t fetch or run in a straight line. And even with a large yard in which to play, she thought she was fenced in.

The first Christians, many who were Jews, were used to being fenced in by the Mosaic law. Though the law was good and had been given by God to convict them of sin and lead them to Jesus (Galatians 3:19–25), it was time to live out their new faith based in God’s grace and the freedom of Christ. They hesitated. After all this time, were they really free?

Our Daily Bread 31 August 2019 Devotional – Tight Circles

We may have the same problem. Perhaps we grew up in churches with rigid rules that fenced us in. Or we were raised in permissive homes and are now desperate for the security of rules. Either way, it’s time to embrace our freedom in Christ (Galatians 5:1). Jesus has freed us to obey Him out of love (John 14:21) and to “serve one another humbly in love” (Galatians 5:13). An entire field of joy and love is open for those who realize “if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).

Reflect & Pray
How have you been kept from experiencing freedom in Christ? How can realizing this freedom help you serve others?

Jesus, help me to believe I am as free as You say.

Our Daily Bread 31 August 2019 Devotional – Tight Circles was written By Mike Wittmer(Our Daily Bread Ministries)