Simple Isn't Easy

I've been working through Galatians for our Bible studies, and I'm struck at how simple Paul is in his defense of the gospel. And, because of its simplicity, he makes a very simple statement: "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free." And I think this is one of the most difficult things to live by.

I don't think we like freedom. We don't like choices, and we don't like options. It's too much responsibility. Paul's version of freedom goes beyond our slavery to sin, and into our slavery to the Law as well. The Law was our curse, our Judge, Jury, and Executioner. But when Jesus became accursed, he removed the curse from us.

The Hebrew children experienced freedom from slavery. They hated it too. They cried to Moses, "Did you bring us out in this desert to die? We were better off in Egypt!" No, simple isn't easy.

We want proof of our righteousness. I go to church, I homeschool my kids, I take the Eucharist, I've been confirmed, I've been baptized, I don't watch rated-R movies, I vote Republican. Like Garfield says, "Big, fat, hairy deal." Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with these things. But if you have a mindset that requires these as proof of your relationship with God? I think we have a problem.

Simply put, we are called to follow Christ. But I wonder, how many of us follow out of freedom, and how many out of slavery?