God’s grace provides victory in Christ

God’s desire for every believer is true freedom, not the counterfeit freedom the world offers, but the kind of freedom that comes from walking in the Spirit. This freedom contrasts with the chains of the flesh. The Apostle Paul put it this way, “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)  Let’s dive into this powerful chapter to explore what it means to live in true freedom by choosing the Spirit over the flesh.

This passage in Galatians stands in stark contrast to the idea often found in “Progressive Christianity” that says we can live any way we want, as long as we ‘love’ and express personal truth. Paul makes it clear that freedom in Christ is not freedom to indulge the flesh or live by our own desires but is a call to live by the Spirit in a way that aligns with God’s truth.

While the Galatians were being tempted to rely on legalism (circumcision and the law), today, some are tempted by the opposite extreme – moral relativism, where anything goes as long as it feels right or loving. However, Paul points out that true freedom in Christ isn’t about abandoning all standards; it’s about living by faith, which expresses itself through love, but that love is rooted in God’s righteousness, not our personal preferences.

Grace is not God’s permission to sin; rather, it is His empowerment to live free from sin.  A good definition of grace is found in the Vine’s Dictionary, “God’s empowering presence exerting a divine influence upon your heart resulting in manifest change in your life.”

God has given us everything we need for the victorious Christian life, but we must wake up, suit up, and pray up!  We must appropriate God’s grace, already given to us. Believers are complete in Christ the moment we are saved, having need of nothing in the spiritual realm. But while God has made provision for us to live the victorious life now and to make an eternal difference, we must fully accept what God has done; we must learn to live by grace.  If we are saved by grace, and we are, we must believe that God’s grace is sufficient for the life of victory.

Many people live as victims instead of victors. The Bible says those who are born again have a peace that passes understanding and unspeakable joy, but many of us are overwhelmed by worry and anxiety. We don’t live victorious lives because something is missing. There’s a gap between what the Bible says we are in Christ and how we behave in reality.

In Galatians 5:16-18, Paul teaches that walking by the Spirit empowers us to overcome the desires of the flesh, as the flesh and the Spirit are in direct opposition. A helpful analogy is imagining the soul, comprising our mind, will, and emotions as having two doors on opposite ends of the room: one to the Spirit and one to the flesh. These doors cannot both be open at the same time. When we open the door to the Spirit by reading God’s Word, praying, and worshiping, the door to the flesh automatically closes. The key is not to fight the flesh directly, but to focus on opening the door to the Spirit.  When we do this, the power of the flesh loses its hold, and we naturally walk in the Spirit, making it impossible to fulfill the desires of the flesh. Being united with Christ doesn’t just mean death to the old nature; it also means new life. When we are ‘in Christ,’ we are made into a ‘new creation’ (II Cor. 5:17). This is a complete transformation – our old sinful tendencies and identity have passed away, and we have been given a new, holy nature. This new life is defined by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live righteously.

We do this by “Setting our minds on things above” (Colossians 3:1-3).  To ‘set’ our minds is a deliberate action.  It requires intentionality and focus. We are constantly bombarded with distractions – from the stresses of daily life to the allure of the world’s pleasures. But Paul encourages us to make a conscious choice every day to focus on heavenly realities.  This means that we need to spend time in His Word and let it shape our thoughts.  We need to pray regularly, not just for our needs, but to align our hearts with God’s purposes.  Pursue holiness and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us into the image of Christ. When our minds are set on things above, we begin to see the world differently. Challenges are seen through the lens of faith. Our decisions are shaped by eternity rather than temporary gratification. We live not for ourselves but for Christ, because our lives are now hidden with Him.

God’s grace isn’t just a gift for salvation; it is the strength we need to live a holy and victorious life in Christ. His grace empowers us to overcome sin, temptation, and every challenge we face, enabling us to walk in righteousness.  “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”  2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV) In our weakness, God’s grace gives us the strength to rise above every obstacle and live in victory through the power of Christ. Ultimately God gives us the grace to live a victorious life so that He will get the glory!

If you are looking for personal freedom or would like to attend a Family Foundations Canada event or seminar, please check out our website at https://www.familyfoundations.ca/ffi-canada-events