For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Galatians 5: 1

This verse will serve as our theme verse over the next few weeks as we consider the Gospel as presented by Paul to the churches of Galatia. It was Christ and Christ alone who set us free to live in (what else) FREEDOM. This is not just some kind of abstract idea or concept. Today, in Christ, we can live in freedom from our past life of sin, freedom from our failures, and experience freedom to live a life wholeheartedly pursuing the one who freed us.

What keeps us from a life of Freedom in Christ?

In his first epistle, John warns about the threat from outside the church referring to the love of the world. But for the churches in Galatia, the challenge to the Gospel was altogether different. According to Paul, the Galatians had been led away by perverted teaching within the church of another Gospel.

A Different Gospel?

After Paul left the churches in Galatia others came in claiming that the Gospel of Christ was only part of what was necessary to please God. We face the same dilemma in at least three different areas where people are led off the path by false teachings inside the church today.

In the opening verses of his letter to the Galatians, Paul makes his passion clear to his readers – The Gospel.

Notice the words in Galatians 3: 6-9. Paul was astonished, dumbfounded, shocked, staggered, and flabbergasted at the thought of a “different gospel”. Notice that Paul was upset at the people of the church as well as those who added to the Gospel.

Next notice that Paul is so convicted about the Message he proclaimed he was willing to speak up and condemn the false teaching happening right inside the church! Paul was more than passionate. He was consumed by the Truth.

How would you answer the question about passion? More importantly, what would others say you are most passionate about?