For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord's freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ's slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings.
Thoughts for Today:In our passage today, Paul provides a general guideline against people (or teachers) who inadvertently destroy our God-given freedom and equality of belief by trying to clamp down too hard on decisions of individual conscience. I've seen this a lot over the years. Many Christians want so desperately to do God's will that they forgo their freedom in exchange for guidance in every situation encountered. Many teachers are all too happy to comply.
However, Paul is concerned about maintaining Christian liberty and guards against the chains of human rules. In Galatians 5:1, he wrote: "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." We understand the freedom Christ purchased for believers isn't limited to what the world means by freedom. His change is inward and spiritual. No longer does the law bind or hold us captive -- we are truly free in all things!
Questions to Ponder:Has your Christianity become burdensome? Full of rules and regulations? Do's and don'ts? It can be confusing when we pay too much attention to the teaching of man versus the Lord's. Jesus died that we might live. His life a ransom for ours. Once again, remember what Paul teaches, "You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings." Are you living as "the Lord's freed person"?