Avoid The Yoke
Here in the United States of America, we just recently observed Memorial Day, which is meant to remind us of those who lost their lives fighting for our freedom as a nation. It is meant to cause us to reflect on the cost of the freedom we enjoy.
Freedom from the tyranny of any kind is important to all people. Freedom was also important for the church.
Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
In Scripture, we discover that there were law zealots who wished to bring believers back under the law as a means of proving their devotion to God and a genuine salvation. They demanded that Gentile believers be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses if they were truly sincere about following God. They caused problems in Antioch and then later in Galatia and other places.
The church at Antioch sent Paul and Barnabas to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem to settle the matter once and for all time. It caused no small stir among the church when they came.
Acts 15:5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.” 6 Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. 7 And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: “Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, 9 and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.”
According to the Dictionary, the word "yoke" is used to describe something that is regarded as oppressive or burdensome.
In Greek, this English word was used to interpret the word Zugos, meaning to join, a coupling, servitude, or an obligation.
Pay attention to what others wish to bind you to. To enjoy your freedom in Christ, you must understand that Christ set us free for freedom, not to be put under a yoke of traditions or that of the law of Moses or any other manmade ordinance claiming to be a means of obtaining or maintaining righteousness and peace with God. The only way to experience true peace with God and a vibrant relationship is by grace through faith in Christ Jesus. No believer should be subjected to the law as a means of gaining righteousness initially or to maintain afterward.
Acts 15:23 They wrote this letter by them: The apostles, the elders, and the brethren, To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings. 24 Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law”—to whom we gave no such commandment
Avoid the yoke of bondage that being brought back under the law is. We are to be yoked with Christ, and His yoke is easy and His burden is light, and we find peace for our souls in Him.
