Rooted in Freedom

By Danny Saavedra

“Plant your feet firmly therefore within the freedom that Christ has won for us.”—Galatians 5:1 (PHILLIPS)

Have you ever seen a tree with a really deep root system? It’s pretty impressive! Studies have found numerous trees with roots longer than 33 feet, and one report cited a tree that grew roots to a depth of 174 feet. That’s more than half the length of a football field! Very little can uproot a tree that’s planted so firmly and deeply into the earth.

In Galatians 5:1, the apostle Paul gives us one of the most powerful and beautiful exhortations in the entire Bible . . . an exhortation that, if truly taken to heart, can radically change the way you live. He says, “Plant your feet firmly therefore within the freedom that Christ has won for us.”

Now look at what theologian John Gill says we’ve been freed from: “The dominion, guilt, and damning power of sin; from the captivity and tyranny of Satan, from the law and all its burdensome rites and institutions . . . from a covenant of works . . . and from the curse and condemnation of it.” 

How amazing is that? Jesus has set us free from shame, guilt, the chains of sin and death, and from the burden of the law. He won our freedom for us! How? By giving His life for us on the cross! By His wounds, we are healed; by His blood, we are set free! 

Today, I encourage you to walk in the power of the gospel and the freedom you have in Christ so you may experience the fullness of His promises and His presence in your life. You may be thinking, How do I do that? How can I plant my feet firmly within the freedom that Christ has won for me? How can I guard my freedom so I never find myself back in chains? 

By “keeping your eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of your faith” (Hebrews 12:2), the One who broke the yoke of slavery from your neck so you can walk with your head held high. By abiding in Him and in His Word every single day. By living out the exhortation of Colossians 2:6–7 (NLT), which says, “And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”

DIG: What does it mean to plant yourself firmly in the freedom Christ came to give us? 

DISCOVER: What steps can you take to walk in the power of the gospel and the freedom of Christ?

DO: Reflect on your freedom, and pray about ways the Lord wants to use you to help those who are still in bondage to break free.