Break The Chains

“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”
Galatians 5:1

Do any of you remember the Lancôme fragrance commercial that featured American actress Julia Roberts? The scene a formal party of some sort, all the men in black tie, all the women in black dresses – save one. Enter Julia Roberts wearing white and standing out from the crowd because of it. It just looks like a gathering of the rich, famous and beautiful. Julia see’s the reality of the situation in the reflection of a mirror. Delicate diamond chains control everyone holding them to the dictates and conventions of that lifestyle. Everyone else seems quite content to play whatever role they are meant to play. All except Julia who breaks the chains holding her, while the lyric “Wish I could be totally free” plays in the background. She climbs the stairs to apparent freedom. It is interesting to me every time I see that commercial that no one follows her – they just watch her go.

What kinds of chains are holding us? There are many chains that can hold us - chains of sin, tradition, legalistic church rules, economic class dictates or our own personal standards of performance. You know what chains are holding you – what chains are keeping you from being perfectly free. In the commercial Julia’s diamond chains break easily – with no effort really. In real life finding freedom from the things that hold us captive can be considerably harder.

Jesus however has the power to set us free, if we let him. Paul in this week’s passage is talking to the Galatia Christians about the freedom they had found in Christ and the freedom some of them were on the brink of losing because they were listening to other voices tell them their faith was not sufficient – that Christ was not sufficient for their freedom from the chains that had bound them.

If you are a follower of Jesus, heed Paul’s words and stand firm don’t let anyone put chains on you, hold on to Jesus and hold on to the freedom that He gives. If you haven’t let Him take all of the chains off let him break them right now so you can be perfectly free. If you are not following after Jesus and don’t believe he can free you from whatever is holding you hostage or making you a slave – call out and ask for His help, let Him break those chains no matter what they are so that you too can enjoy freedom.

Chains made of diamonds or gold are still chains, time to break them and be free.

A Prayer
Father – You sent Jesus to break our chains. Chains that keep us held like slaves to many different things. Chains that keep us from You. For the chains in our lives that He has already broken, thank you. For the chains we still wear grant us whatever we need to surrender those chains to the power of Your Son. Once we are free, help us to stand firm and not be taken back into bondage. In the name of Jesus, the chain breaker we pray – Amen.