SUCCESS

*SUCCESS*

_Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage._ *Galatians 5:1*

There are two concepts which determine the victory and fruitfulness of a Christian. The first concept is maturity. Paul wrote: "We are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ . . . to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:15,13). God has given us everything we need to grow to maturity in Christ (2 Peter 1:3). But Satan is opposed to our maturity and will do anything he can to keep us from realizing who we are and what we have in Christ. We must experience victory over the dark side before we can fully mature.

The second concept of the successful Christian life is freedom. Paul declared: "It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery" (Galatians 5:1). This verse not only assures us that God wants us free, but also warns us that we can lose our freedom by returning to the law.

Before we received Christ, we were slaves to sin. But because of Christ's work on the cross, sin's power over us has been broken. Satan has no right of ownership or authority over us. He is a defeated foe, but he is committed to keeping us from realizing that. He knows he can block your effectiveness as a Christian if he can deceive you into believing that you are nothing but a product of your past, subject to sin, prone to failure, and controlled by your habits. As long as he can confuse you and blind you with his dark lies, you won't be able to see that the chains which once bound you are broken. You are free in Christ, but if the devil can deceive you into believing you're not, you won't experience the freedom which is your inheritance. I don't believe in instant maturity, but I do believe in instant freedom, and I have seen thousands of people set free by the truth. Once a person is free, you would be amazed at how quickly he or she matures!

*Prayer:* _Help me Lord, today and always, to walk in Your freedom._

*Scriptural Reading:* Galatians 5:1-15
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.
5      For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
6     For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.
Love Fulfills the Law
7      You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?
8     This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you.
9     A little leaven leavens the whole lump.
10     I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is.
11     And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased.
12     I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off!
13       For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
14      For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
15      But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!

NKJV