The main point of the Epistle to the Galatians is that we have been set free from the law by Christ’s work on the cross. Sadly, many Christians do not understand this most fundamental consequence of their salvation. They rightly understand the fact that they have been set free from the bondage of sin, and are dead to sin, but they fail to acknowledge what Paul said concerning the law: “For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God” (Gal. 2:19). We have been set free from every possible bondage, even the law, and placed into full and complete liberty by and for Christ.

But something else, very similar, can easily interfere with this liberty that we now have: the ordinances of men. Paul asked the Colossians the following question: “If you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations—‘Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle.’” It looks like the flesh likes laws. Paul makes his point very clear: these things might look good externally, but in the end they are only for “the indulgence of the flesh” (Col. 2:20–21, 23). It makes the hideous flesh look good and gives it importance. Not only is it not a good usage of this liberty in which we have been placed, but it is using it “as an opportunity for the flesh” (Gal. 5:13).

We have been called to this liberty or freedom so that we might freely serve Christ. Am I free to freely serve Christ today, or are there things in my life hindering me? Let us make good use of this liberty in Christ and, through love, serve one another “for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:12).