This post is Day 12 in a series of studies about “Followers of Jesus”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

Feel free to comment below with your own thoughts about each verse and how you will be acting on each thought. Also, if you haven’t yet signed up to receive the notifications of new studies, you can do that today (the form is at the bottom of the page).

Followers of Jesus – Day 12

All of us, as we grow older find that we have established habits that we do not think about any more. That is until something happens that does not fit into our routine. Then it is time to rethink a few things. Do they affect the practice of our faith?

Galatians 2:4-5

This matter arose because some false believers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.

The Thought

Freedom in Christ is one of the main themes running through the letter to the Galatians. “This matter” being discussed in Paul’s correspondence concerns believers who were teaching that Christians must be circumcised. They were trying to bring converts under the Jewish law. Hence Paul’s much quoted verse: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free” (Galatians 5:1).

Sadly much of the church on earth today still has “rules” that we cannot find in the Bible.

Often these are just long term habits that have never changed. Please note that I am not saying there are no Christians in those churches. There are many who love routines and draw close to The Lord through the familiarity of those rituals.

All of us, as we grow older find that we have established habits that we do not think about any more. That is until something happens that does not fit into our routine. Then it is time to rethink a few things. Do they affect the practice of our faith? It is time to turn back to Jesus and ask Him if we have become slaves.

Action

Ask yourself today if in your church group, you are following rules that are not really Biblical, and were not practiced by Jesus’s earlier followers. Do you have “habits” that are not really helping you draw closer to The Lord.

Pray for revelation and a breaking of unnecessary customs.

Pray for the church communities in your area, for them to teach the truth, and to recognise anything that is holding their members in slavery.