There’s something downright wild about the idea of freedom in Christ that too often gets boxed into neat theological packages. If you’ve ever felt tangled in rules, weighed down by guilt, or stuck trying to hustle your way into God’s favor, then you know what I mean. But Paul’s message about liberty isn’t just some airy concept we sprinkle on top of Christianity like fairy dust—it’s a radical, no-turning-back declaration that the chains are off. He said it himself in Galatians: “For freedom Christ has set us free.” Yet here’s the kicker—this freedom isn’t a free-for-all license to drift on the currents of life. No, it’s about standing fast. Standing firm.
The Revolution of Grace: Not Your Average Freedom
If you believe, like I do, that rightly dividing the Word of Truth is non-negotiable, then you know grace isn’t about legalism, and it definitely isn’t about lawlessness. It’s the balance beam Jesus walked—and invites us to walk—between completely giving up control and totally surrendering to a loving Father who dresses us not in our faults but in His righteousness.
Let’s be honest: freedom can be confusing. We hear “freedom in Christ,” and suddenly everyone has their own version of what that means. Some take it as an excuse to do whatever feels good, citing grace like a bumper sticker. Others react to the misuse of grace by doubling down on rules and performance. But standing fast in the liberty Christ gives us isn’t swinging between extremes. Instead, it’s about a deep-seated assurance that you are not under law but under grace—and it changes everything.
What Does “Standing Fast” Even Look Like?
Picture a soldier holding the front line, boots dug into the earth, eyes sharp, not moving backward despite the chaos. That’s standing fast. This is the posture Paul champions, especially in Galatians 5:1, telling believers to “stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”
But I’m not talking about a stiff, militant stance. Instead, think of it as a wrestle, a daily commitment to resist anything that threatens to pull you back into bondage—whether it’s legalism, self-condemnation, fear, or false teachings. The fight isn’t about earning your worth but defending your position in grace. It’s actively rejecting the lies that say you have to prove yourself all over again.
Why Liberty in Christ Feels Like a Tightrope Walk
Let’s face the elephant in the room: freedom is messy. You’re free from the law’s condemnation, but the law still provides boundaries that protect us from destructive behavior. Paul never suggests tossing the Bible out the window. Instead, he’s telling us to use it as a shield, not a whip.
This is where rightly dividing the Word of Truth comes in. It’s not about picking and choosing what to obey but recognizing what covenant you’re living under. Are you trying to earn favor under the Old Testament law? That won’t work—and trying to live by it can only bring frustration and bondage. Or do you live in the grace of the New Testament, realizing your standing before God isn’t based on what you do but what Jesus already did?
In that space of liberty, you don’t have to perform, strive, or water down God’s holiness to make it palatable. You can walk boldly knowing He’s already accept you—not because of what you’ve done but because of what He did on the cross. And yes, that freedom calls you to holiness—not to impress God, but because you’re free to live like the Holy Spirit moves you.
The Enemy’s Game Plan: Ensnarement Through Bondage
If the devil had one desire, it would be to snatch that freedom right out from under you. Why? Because a captive Christian can be manipulated, can fall back into works-based mindsets, can become a prisoner of fear and condemnation. The “yoke of bondage” Paul mentions isn’t an outdated phrase—it’s a living trap.
Remember the stories? The religious leaders of Jesus’ time were obsessed with rules, external good behavior, and proving their righteousness. Jesus tore through that facade, saying the Spirit sets us free (John 8:36). But even today, we risk getting lazy or confused and wandering back into systems that kill joy and choke grace.
The real challenge—and triumph—is to stand fast. To remind yourself daily that you don’t have to earn love or salvation. To reject the counterfeit freedom that says, “You’re free to do whatever you want,” which quickly morphs into captivity under sin.
The Sweet Spot: Grace That Empowers, Not Excuses
There’s this notion floating around that grace means “go and do whatever, nothing matters.” That idea couldn’t be further from the truth. Grace empowers us to live liberated, not license us to stumble. Once you accept you’re no longer under the law’s condemnation, you actually can choose joy, peace, and love because you’re not bound by guilt dragging at your feet.
Living in the liberty Christ offers is watching how grace softens your heart, transforms your desires, and sharpens your conscience—not because you’re afraid of punishment but because you’ve been nurtured by love. We become outrageously free when we realize that holiness isn’t about checking boxes but about a thriving, intimate relationship with God.
How Do We Hold Our Ground? Practical Ways to Stand Fast
You might ask, how do I actually stand fast in this liberty? It sounds spiritual, but it’s practical:
– Daily immersion in the Word rightly divided: Know your grace gospel from your law gospel. There’s a huge difference. This keeps you grounded.
– Prayer—not begging God for your worth but resting in His acceptance: A conversation that reminds you who you are in Christ.
– Community that encourages rather than condemns: We’re not lone rangers but family. Choose grace-filled relationships.
– Reject condemnation like the enemy’s toxic bait: Recognize when guilt isn’t conviction and refuse to reclimb the ladder of works.
– Remember your identity is in Christ’s finished work: He didn’t die for you to live heavy with effort but to live light in joy.
It’s like holding your breath underwater: the longer you try to stay under strain, the more uncomfortable you become. But recognizing Christ’s freedom allows you to take a deep breath, relax, and walk in peace.
Living It Out: Freedom as a Lifestyle, Not Just a Message
When people begin to get this freedom, it twists their worldview upside down. They see sin less as a fatal flaw and more as a nuisance that can’t imprison because the real power belongs to Jesus. They live with an abundance of hope and a firm refusal to be manipulated by fear or guilt.
Personally, there’s nothing more thrilling than waking up with the knowledge that all my failures, past mistakes, and ongoing battles don’t determine my standing before God. Freedom is the soil where love, joy, and peace grow strong.
If you’ve never truly embraced this liberty, or if you find yourself constantly wrestling with rules and works, I challenge you to rethink what you’ve been taught about grace. This freedom is a fierce gift, and standing fast means guarding it, nurturing it, and living it unapologetically.
Need a daily reminder to stay in that place of freedom? You might enjoy checking out this resource on scriptural encouragement for daily strength—because sometimes, faith needs a refresh button.
Whatever season you’re in, stir up that courage to stand firm. Christ’s liberty wasn’t a suggestion; it was a declaration. When you stand fast, you’re not just surviving grace—you’re thriving in it. And that, my friend, is freedom worth fighting for.