The Yoke of Bondage

Fallen From Grace

The Answer For Those Living Defeated Christian Lives

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage” (Galatians 5:1).

The Galatians were contemplating going back into Law after coming to Salvation by faith. Paul is warning strongly against this as it would shipwreck their faith. False brethren had come from Jerusalem teaching that the Galatians must be circumcised to be saved. They were strongly encouraging these new converts to obey the Law of Moses. The Apostle Paul said the following regarding this:

“I testify again to every man who is circumcised, that He is a debtor to do the whole Law” Galatians 5:3).

We are saved by faith in Christ and Him crucified and we are sanctified in the same manner. Jesus fulfilled the Law in totality and we fulfill the Law through our faith in Christ. We are not to attempt to live this life in our own strength to become more Christlike. These Galatians were saved but were considering adding the Law to their faith to please God and walk out their Christian life. Again, Paul warns strongly against any attempt to sanctity ourselves by what we do.

“Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now made perfect by the flesh? (Galatians 3:3)

We are saved by faith and we are kept, and sanctified, in the same manner. We are not to attempt to bring about our spiritual growth by self-effort. It will lead to defeat, as Paul warns the Galatians in the following verse.

“Christ is become of no effect unto you, whoever of you are justified by Law; you have fallen from Grace” (Galatians 5:4).

Wow! Strong words from Paul regarding the Galatians starting to look to the Law. If we move our faith from Christ and the Cross to anything else we have fallen from Grace. Grace comes to us by our faith in Christ and Him crucified by the power of the Holy Spirit. All blessings come by way of the Cross. The Holy Spirit works within the parameters of the finished work of Christ. He will not work outside of the finished work of Christ. This is the Law of God.

“For the Law (Law of God) of the Spirit (Holy Spirit) of life (Newness of Life) in Christ Jesus (by His finished work at the Cross) has made me free (victory in our Christian walk) from the Law of Sin and Death” (Romans 8:2 w/commentary mine).

This verse shows us the way to walk in the victory that we have in Christ. This is the most powerful Law, the Law of the Spirit in Christ Jesus, and it is stronger then the Law of Sin and Death. In it, we see our way forward to victory in the power of the Holy Spirit. This is our road map, so to speak. When we make Christ crucified the object of our faith, the the Holy Spirit will work mightily in our life. There is no other way  – it’s the Law of God.

We fall from Grace not due to our sin, but by moving the object of our faith to something other than the Lord and His sacrificial death at Calvary. That’s what Paul is saying when he warns about being entangled again in the yoke of bondage. Leaving the Cross for Law, or works, would result in the Galatians living a defeated life with no victory over the sin nature. Sin is the result of falling from Grace, but not the cause, of our losing our way. Paul continually points us to the way, that way is faith. We are to walk in the Spirit and not try to obey any law, or do any work, to gain the victory in our lives.

“But if you are led of the Spirit, you are not under Law” (Galatians 5:18).

[ We are to do good works as God’s Word tells us, but we are not to look to works to gain God’s approval, or to have victory in our lives over the sin nature. As Christians, we are to encourage each other in love and in good works as a result of having received such a great salvation.

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24)]

Always Remember,

God Loves You!

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Here I Am, Lord – Tom Quinn Ministries – tqministries.com 2025