Freedom

This morning is a particularly beautiful morning.  The sun is shining and there is a lovely breeze moving the air. I have opened the windows and let it all come in.  Maybe, just maybe, the air-conditioning days are coming to an end. The fresh air is revitalizing!

In Galatians 5:1 we are encouraged (and what encouragement it is!) to:

5 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1

We are invited into wholesome liberty by Jesus Christ. It is through him that we have obtain the third part of our nature, the spirit of God. We are born with a body and a soul and God has provided this third dimension if we so choose accept it. It is a refreshing gentle wind that  can enliven, inspire and comfort us in any situation that arises. It is true freedom that is not burdened with ritual law or enslaving 'anything goes' mindset.

Bondage is oppressive, it weighs down our heart and darkens our vision.  God wants us to freely avail of all of his blessings:

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: Ephesians 1:3

The reason  the word 'places' is in italics in the King James Version is that it has been added by translators for flow in translation.  'Heavenly' is not referring to a geographical place on earth. It is referring to a place above the physical earth and, in this context, more specifically, God's spiritual realm.

Despite the fact that we cannot see a physical spiritual realm, we can see the effects of it in our hearts.  It like the wind. We cannot see the wind but we can see its action by the movement of things around us. Recognizing and utilizing our spiritual nature produces fruit in our lives:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering(having a long fuse), gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23

These are all great things! Nobody is against having love, joy and peace emanating from our innermost being! This list is a list of fruit. Fruit is a product of growth. Peace, goodness and gentleness cannot be fabricated.  Spiritual righteousness comes from the heart.

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:9-10

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk(keep step) in the Spirit. Galatians 5:25