With Christ, fly free as a butterfly

Galations 3
10For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”[e] 11Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.”[f] 12The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.”[g] 13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”[h] 14He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. 

We are the Galatians trying to follow the rules of the Old Testament. Trying to gain access to heaven and God through following rules.  Following rules is not a bad thing! We are commanded to follow the rules of those Good has allowed to be in charge unless it contradicts scripture.  So rules aren't bad; it is the reason we follow them that is the focus here.  Are we following then to be justified in front of God or are we following then to justify our actions to ourselves. The first reason is what God wants.  The second one is the reason for this passage in Galations.

The Galations had heard and believed that Christ died for their sins.  They were doing great.  Then they decided they had to make up rules for everyone to follow to show (us, not God ) how religious they were.  That is what Paul is trying to help them understand in this passage.

If we accept Christ, He does the work for us to justify us in front of God.  Nothing we do can do that, only Christ. We are free in Christ! Not that we are free to do anything we want, but free to do what is right because of what Christ had done for us!

Fly like a graceful, beautiful, free butterfly this week,  as you remember what Christ has done for you and behave in gratitude for that.