Galatians 5:1-6 NIV
[1] 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. [2] Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. [3] Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. [4] You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. [5] For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. [6] For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

For some reason slavery can still be compelling to those who have been set free. Maybe there is security in doing its required duties that is lost when doing those same duties no longer has any true bearing on worth or qualifications. When the action is seen to result in a certain status or consequence, then no longer having to fulfill that obligation can be a very unsettling uncertainty. For the addict, career person, those in abusive relationships, sinner, and the religious it is all too often that once bound, a return to that bondage is a great probability. Being liberated does not make sense and can result in more anxiety than peace if those former requirements are not completely and adequately displaced by the occupations of the free. Until there is security found in the life of freedom, the call to return will be heeded.

To be set free from an inability to fulfill a bunch of requirements is a very wonderful gift that is freely received in Christ. Actually living in this freedom, though, especially after having identified with a sense of accomplishment and being right as a result of doing certain things, can be a challenging stance. To be free is not to be completely devolved of any expectations. It is just replacing those old, debilitating ones with life producing ones. It is by the Spirit that we have been set free, by yielding to His presence and guidance for our life. So it will be by the Spirit that we are enabled to stand and live in this freedom. The same way were born into this new life will be the way we remain there, by simply responding to the Spirit and His will for our life. It may include doing certain things from a heart that responds to His direction. It will no longer be doing those things, however, to acquire a sense of security or accomplishment, as those things themselves will carry no worth or value. 

There is very much a need for righteous living as those who live otherwise cannot expect to participate in their kingdom inheritance. (vs. 21) However, that righteousness, for those who have been set free, comes not by entering back into judgmental religious acts, but by faith, enabled through a Spirit filled life. Remaining yielded in heart, mind and tongue to the Spirit’s leading is our way to the actions of love that will ever be our joyfully gratifying and liberating requirement.