“So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law."
"For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”"
Galatians 5:1, 13,14 NLT

It is abundantly clear that Jesus has set us free through the body and blood that He gave. When we place our trust in what He has done, we are then justified (made righteous) in His sight. As a result, we are free from the penalty of sin, which is death. We put so much emphasis on physical death (the natural cessation of the body we now have). God sees death so much deeper than just physical. The most potent form of death is separation from God spiritually. So, when we accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we immediately receive right standing with God spiritually. As a child of God we still face physical death unless Jesus returns before that time. One thing is sure, either way, we are in God's favor through Jesus. The great blessing is the fact that, one day, we will be given an eternal body.

Until the time comes for Christ to return or physical death, we must live as children of God who are free. We are made free, by Jesus, from the rigid regulations of the law. We do not need to get entangled in a self righteous attempt to do enough. We simply need to recognize the righteousness that has been imparted to us through our faith in Jesus (see 2 Corinthians 5:21). Now that we are free, we must also recognize the importance of our conduct in relation to how it affects our fellow man. We must not allow our freedom in Jesus to get out of proper perspective or we, then, become a stumbling block to others.

Jesus has made us free. Free to live for Him, not ourselves. Let's serve Him and represent His character. Bottom line: You are saved through Jesus, not your own works. However, your works should represent Him (see Ephesians 2:8-10). Don't let your freedom become a license to do unrighteous things.

Prayer for today: Father, in Jesus name, I trust fully in your work on the cross as the payment of my sin. Help me, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to live free in, and for, You!!