Our deliverance may be a sovereign work of God’s grace, but we can lose the freedom He wants to give us through compromise, carelessness or lack of commitment. Gal 5:1 urges us not to submit again to a yoke of slavery, and we must take the responsibility for:
1. strengthening the foundations of our faith. We need a solid foundation which comes from knowing and obeying God’s word. (Matt 7:24-27)
2. singing the song of the redeemed. Joyful gratitude is what will keep us going through times of trouble; the joy of the Lord is our strength. (Neh 8:10) Is 35:10 speaks of this joyful singin; we must guard our hearts against defeatist attitudes and complaining and grumbling. We should begin each day with thanksgiving and allow God to keep us singing throughout the day.
3. surrendering daily to live for Christ. 2 Cor 5:15 reminds us that we now no longer live for ourselves but for Him. Self-centredness will do us no good personally, nor will it help the church or society. Instead, we must live Christ-centred lives, for we are now ‘under new management.’
