For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1 NRSV)

The old Covenant between God and God’s people begins with freedom from slavery in Egypt. In our Communion services we usually use these words: “By the baptism of his suffering, death, and resurrection you gave birth to your Church, delivered us from slavery to sin and death, and made with us a new covenant by water and the Spirit.”

This “new covenant” is the basis of our relationship with God through Jesus Christ. God makes an agreement with us to deliver us from slavery. Our slavery is not a physical slavery, but a spiritual slavery. We have our sins forgiven by Jesus Christ’s death. As Jesus was set free from the grave through the resurrection so we are set free from death through his resurrection.

We will probably experience death, if Christ does not return in our lifetime, but we are not slaves to death or the fear of death. We see new life, life after death because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. We hope in God’s grace to raise us also from the dead.

In the wilderness God’s people often preferred slavery in Egypt to the uncertainties of freedom. Unfortunately we sometimes prefer the comfort of what we know over the uncertainties of freedom in Jesus Christ.

Paul tells us to stand firm. We do not have to be slaves to our comforts and desires. We receive new life by trusting Jesus Christ as we step out in obedience to God’s call. Be bold. Stand firm. Live life to the fullest, or as our Children’s Sunday School says it: LIVE BIG!