I recently heard former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum say, “The more we restrain ourselves, the more free we are.” I thought to myself, “This is profoundly life-changing wisdom.” I realized it aligned with a foundational New Testament Principle, which comes from the Apostle Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians. Listen to these two translations of Galatians 5:1. The NKJV says, “Stand fast in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” The NIV says, “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.”
When Paul wrote “stand fast,” or, as the NIV version says, “Stand firm…,” he meant that you are to resist the temptations from your past that would cause you to lose your footing and fall back into the weaknesses, failures and sins from where came. Your liberty in Christ has redeemed you. Remember this, the past has a way of trying to reassert itself, just when you do not want or need to have it intrude on your life. The way to resist it is to “stand fast” and “firm.” God will always stand with you. I’m Dr. Bob. Your faith will keep you standing “fast” and “firm” in Christian victory. Peter wrote about this, confirming Paul’s words. Listen to 1 Peter 5:8-9 (NKJV). “Be sober, vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. {9} Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” Now, that deserves a big “Amen!”
Stand Fast and Firm for Freedom