Today's Passage - Galatians 5:1-6

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Galatians 5:1-6    It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.  Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor circumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.     Paul says here that Christ has indeed set us free, therefore we are no longer in bondage to anything. In the early church, "circumcision" exerted considerable bondage over brothers and sisters. However, Paul emphasized once more that "neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value". The true value is in depending on the Holy Spirit and awaiting by faith the righteousness for which we hope. In the same way, we need to know that in Christ we have been set free. We don't need to let any circumstance or anything keep us in bondage and stop us from enjoying the true freedom in Christ.     Many years ago when I went out of town to preach, there was a brother from China who came to talk to me after the meeting. He worked in a restaurant and was very unhappy because his boss often gave him mean looks. He wanted to leave America and return back to China. I told him, "Why do you allow your boss' mean looks to affect you? You need to trust in the Lord Jesus and in him there is true freedom. You don't need to be affected by your circumstance, but every day you can depend on Christ to live a joyful life." Afterwards, I went to the airport to go home. Unexpectedly, heavy snow started falling on the way to the airport. When I arrived at the airport, I found there was no seat for me. There were a couple of travelers like me. Immediately, the air was filled with everyone's complaints because we don't know when the plane will depart and even if it departs, we still don't have a seat.     At that moment, God's Spirit reminded me, "Didn't you just say to that person: "Why do you let the circumstance control you? In Christ you have true freedom!" Consequently, I quieted down before the Lord. I went outside to eat something and then came back to wait for the flight. Suddenly, I noticed a Chinese elderly couple beside me who were very anxious, and like me don't have a seat on the flight. I said to them, "Don't worry, I am just like you, when they call us I will let you know." They were very happy when they heard this and repeatedly thanked me and calmly waited for the flight. It was already evening when it was time for us to finally fly. It would be around 2am when I get back to San Jose. Even though I was physically tired, yet my heart was filled with joy. Once again I have experienced not being under bondage to the circumstance because in Jesus there is true freedom. Praise the Lord!                                                                          Pray with Pastor Tong           Dear Lord, in Christ we can enjoy true freedom. No matter what circumstances brothers and sisters encounter, may the Spirit of the Lord set them free. May they receive from you true peace, joy, and satisfaction.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!