Galatians 5:1

‘Wherefore, brothers, we are not children of a handmaid, but of the free-woman. Christ set us free with a view to our freedom, therefore stand fast continually, and do not be entangled again in a yoke of bondage.'

The consequence of what had been said is that we are not to be children of slavery but children of freedom, children of liberty, equality and brotherhood (Galatians 3:28). For that is why Christ has set us free, so that we can be truly free (John 8:36). Thus the Galatians must stand firm and refuse to be entangled by a yoke that will bring them into bondage.

But of what does that freedom consist? It is not freedom to behave just as we like. It is, first of all, freedom from the requirements and condemnation of the Law. No more shall we groan under its yoke as we strive to keep it with fear in our hearts lest we fail. It is freedom from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2). It is also freedom from the power of sin (Romans 6:18; Romans 6:22), and indeed freedom from all requirements that man would load upon us. Its consequence is continual responsive faith and what results from it. It is freedom to let Christ live through us regardless of all else (Galatians 2:20), for where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17). It is freedom from the flesh to walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16). It is the glorious liberty of the children of God (Romans 8:21).

‘Christ set us free.' Both by bearing our curse on the cross (Galatians 3:13) and by indwelling our lives (Galatians 2:20).

‘Stand fast.' Here we have the present tense - ‘go on standing fast.' We must be continually firm and strong in order to ensure that we do not allow ourselves to be dragged back into legalism. Men, and especially religious leaders or the priesthood, will often seek to bind us with something and put restrictions on us, for it is to their benefit. But the Christian responds only in so far as it is his duty to God. He seeks only to please God.

‘Entangled again in a yoke of bondage.' The ox is bound by the yoke so that it must submit to the dictates of its master. The man who is under the Law is bound by the Law so that he must submit to all its dictates. His life is a constant grind. And this, says Paul, is something to be avoided. The man who is in Christ is free because the risen Christ Who dwells in him and lives through him is not bound by any law but walks simply in accordance with the Father's will. He takes Christ's yoke on him, a yoke which is easy, and of which the burden is light (Matthew 11:28).