warm-up

What comes to mind when you hear the word “freedom”? Why?

Did you ever take the blame for something someone else did? What happened?

Have you ever regretted doing something you didn’t want to do? What would you have done differently?

word

⁴But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, ⁵to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. Galatians 4:4,5

We were slaves of sin and were held captive under the law (Galatians 3:23). During Paul’s time, slaves were under the rulership of their masters. They could not do anything apart from what their master would say or allow. Sin was our master, so God gave us the law, a set of rules and obligations, as a guide for how we are to live. But because we are limited and sinful, we could not obey or fulfill the law and, therefore, deserve punishment. The good news is that Jesus came to bring hope. He bought us at a price—His own life—so we could be freed from the bondage of sin. Christmas reminds us that Jesus came to bring hope and set us free. How exactly did Jesus set us free?

1
Jesus was born under the law.

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law . . . Galatians 4:4

Jesus, like us, was born under the law, yet He was without sin, unlike everyone else. He came to do what no man could—fulfill the whole law (Matthew 5:17). Even though it wasn’t easy, He fulfilled all its obligations as a man. He didn’t come to destroy the law, but to accomplish its purpose so He could redeem us from being slaves to sin. How did you live when you didn’t know Jesus? How has your life changed since Jesus became your Lord?

2
In Christ, we who were under the law have been redeemed.

⁴But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, ⁵to redeem those who were under the law . . . Galatians 4:4,5

Anyone who is in Christ is now redeemed. To redeem is to repurchase or buy back. Because God created us, we belong to Him. When sin entered our lives, it became our master and we lived according to it. But because of God’s great love for us, He sent His own Son so that He could bring us back to Himself and we could live the way He intended—with freedom and in a right relationship with Him. According to Galatians 5:1, what are we to do now that Christ has set us free?

application

Jesus redeemed us from our slavery to sin. How will this affect your attitude toward His commands?

Are there still areas in your life where you experience difficulty in obeying God? What can you do this week to stand firm in the freedom Jesus secured for you?

For this week, meditate on Romans 5:8. How will knowing that Jesus redeemed us despite our sins change the way you see and treat others? How can you preach the gospel to those you don’t usually talk to?

prayer

Thank God for sending Jesus to live as a man so He could redeem humanity from sin. Thank Him for His great love for us.

Ask God for the grace to no longer be a slave of sin, but to live in the victory that Jesus won for us on the cross. Pray that you will grow in faith all the more as you obey His commands.

Pray for God to give you open doors to share His love and freedom to your family and friends this season.

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Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®)
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