The word ‘liberty' here is ‘eleutheria’ in Greek (also meaning ‘freedom’), from the word ‘eleutheros’, which means ‘unrestrained,
not a slave, or exempt (from obligation/liability/debt)’. 'To stand fast' here is 'to continue, to insist, to take a firm stand'. In other words, the apostle Paul meant, 'once you are set free (from a certain bondage), never go back to that bondage again'!
The word ‘yoke’ in this verse means 'burden or obligation', and when I say 'obligation', I mean 'something that is imposed which causes a person (or a society) to be bound, stifled or restricted'.
Someone asked, "Pastor, how do I know if I am in a bondage?"
You know you are in a bondage when you are stifled (i.e. suffocated, suppressed, or restrained), and you can't express yourself (or your gifts/talents) as who you are any more! By the way, this word ‘bondage’ simply means 'slavery'. One example in the Bible is when the Israelites were under the control of the Pharaoh in Egypt (before God sent Moses to set them free).
Note: In the context of Paul's writing here in Galatians 5:1, he was contrasting between 'being under law' and 'being under grace'. He stated that 'law' binds us, whereas 'grace' sets us free. He then also wrote 'having been called to liberty (freedom), only do not use liberty (freedom) as an opportunity for the flesh (i.e. taking advantage of one another), but through love serve one another' (see Galatians 5:13). In other words, liberty (freedom) in Christ is never a license to 'take advantage of one another' or to 'sin further', but one that always produces the fruits of righteousness.
This truth above can also be applied in every other area of your life as well. Say, if you
are already 'set free' from a financial debt, don’t go back to the 'bondage' of borrowing again! Instead, start 'living within your
means', and start allowing God to lead you (and guide you) into prosperity thereon.
During the trying period of recession (even depression) in Europe in recent years, I've always wanted to find out why the nation of Germany survived in the midst of a troubled
European economy (of course, I also can't deny the fact that even a 'big ship' may still 'sink' in the midst of a 'prolonged storm'). Now, I am not promoting Germany here. But there are
definitely many things we can learn from one another if we humble ourselves. According to a BBC business news report recently, I then found out one good quality the Germans have is they don’t have a culture of ‘borrowing' unnecessarily. In German language,
the word ‘borrow’ shares the same word as ‘guilt’. Yes, the same word! Therefore, they don’t like to ‘borrow’. To them, ‘borrowing’ is something ‘guilty’! Put it this way: They don’t like to be in a 'bondage' (slavery). As a matter of fact, the borrower is in effect a ‘slave’ to the lender!
Each country is unique and has its own underlying culture/way of living in everyday life. I also notice that, generally, the culture of 'not borrowing' (and 'living within your means', instead of the practice of mortgage and re-mortgage) has been inculcated in many Germans since young. Multiply this many times, and this is then reflected as the character of the whole nation (which in turn influences the nation's decision-making).
Note: Of course the above is not the only reason. There are many other reasons as well, e.g. an efficient vocational training for their youth (like a 'conveyor belt' that keeps producing highly-skilled workers into the industry), among others.
Now, notice what the Bible says about the blessing of Abraham. One part of this blessing goes like this: 'And the Lord will grant you plenty of goods, in the fruit of your body, in the increase of your livestock, and in the produce of your ground, in the land of which the Lord swore to your fathers to give you. The Lord will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow' (Deuteronomy 28:11-12). Take these two verses and proclaim it over your life! Believing, and you'll have it. Amen!
Galatians 3:13-14 says, 'Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith'.
People of God, it is for freedom that Christ has set you free! He has already broken every yoke of yours on the cross! So, stand fast in this freedom, and never allow the devil (or anyone) to bring you back to that place of 'bondage'! This is a time to move on and into the new things. Don’t look back! Say, if you have been set free from sorrows, stand fast therefore, and keep
receiving the joy of the Lord as you move on!
In Philippians 3:13-15, Paul wrote, 'Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you'. See the word 'mature' here? In other words, Paul was saying those who are spiritually mature are those who will look forward till God's destiny is fulfilled in them!
Don’t be like Lot’s wife who looked back at Sodom and Gomorrah and became a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26). 'Salt' here implies 'something easily dissolved, or something disappearing as dust' in Hebrew. That's what happened to Lot's wife. She literally 'was dissolved', and 'disappeared' in history. Have you noticed the Bible didn't even bother to mention Lot's wife's name? The Bible only says "Lot's wife", but not her actual name! There's also always a tendency for human to stay in the 'old'. Even for Lot himself, the Bible says 'he lingered' and didn't really move, even after the messengers had urged him to hurry! (see Genesis 19:15-16) But God was indeed merciful to him, and the messengers then took hold of him (and his family) and brought him (and his family) out of Sodom and Gomorrah! These two words have meanings. Sodom means ‘to be scorched, to be burnt’, and Gomorrah means ‘a ruined heap, a chastisement’. All these speak of the 'bondage' of our past, and that God wants us to 'burn the bridge behind us' and move on.
Also, the moment the people in Moses’ days looked back and yearned for Egypt (‘Mizraim’ in Hebrew, meaning ‘a place of distress, besieged, bondage’), they soon also became history (see Numbers 14:1-4, Numbers 14:35-37). The lesson learnt here is not to go back to the 'place' of the old 'bondage', but instead give thanks for the new-found freedom that God has given us.
People of God, the devil will want you to remain (or get stuck) in your old way (or old cycle/old season), but His grace and His power is more than enough for you today to move into the new.
Receive this anointing now and be set free, so that you can get on with what the Lord has called you to be. Yes, God will also surely open a way for you, and when you seek Him, you'll definitely find the answer. Better days are indeed ahead of you. In Jesus' name. Amen.
