At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, He went to the temple and proclaimed that he had come to set the captives free. The New Testament says that we are set free from the bondage of sin and death by faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ through the free unearned grace of God.

Paul tells us in Romans 8 that the whole earth groans awaiting the complete redemption of the children of God at which time “creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.”

He says in Galatians 2 that “false prophets” (teachers) creep in among us to spy out our freedom and bring us into bondage.

“It was for freedom that Christ set us free;” Paul says, “stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”  Galatians 5

What might be a yoke of slavery?

To name a few: The yoke of sin. The yoke of legalism. The yoke of obtaining righteousness or salvation apart from Christ (self-righteousness). The yoke of false religion or false worship. The yoke of “hollow and deceitful philosophies.” The yoke of “the wisdom of this world.” The yoke of the cares and riches of this world. The yoke of fear. (And you can add your own.)

I see all these yokes of bondage or slavery as yokes that are put upon Christians by false teachers within the church and the unredeemed world outside the church. “Other gospels.” They are wearying and burdensome.

Our Christian freedom came at a great price. It was bought “not with silver or gold” but with the “precious blood of Christ.”

This is the freedom we, in Christ’s stead, offer to the world. To be reconciled to God through His son, Jesus Christ. Let no one deceive us. The gospel of Jesus Christ offers to all—true and eternal freedom from bondage.

“Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30