Return to Basics

Ready:

"For freedom, Christ set us free. Stand firm, then, and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery." --Galatians 5:1

Set:

As a youngster, in the late '70s and early '80s, the bicycle was our method of transportation in small towns in the USA. We rode everywhere—roads, yards, game trails, paths, and sidewalks. If a surface could support it, we rode on it. If it couldn't, we found that out, too. The art of balancing on two wheels launched us into freedom and joy.

My travels grew longer, and my friend group grew larger as we rode. I would leave home, ride a couple of miles to the first friend’s house, ride to the next friend’s house, and repeat, gathering friends and ideas for the day’s adventures. Imagine a group of ten to twelve elementary schoolers freely roaming the streets.

Decades later, I continue to ride as a husband, father, and grandfather. Our current adventures include enjoying multi-state, multi-day stage rides and group rides, hosting cycling events, and participating in all things bicycle. That may sound complicated, and it often is. However, when I intentionally return to the basics, look through the complications, and focus on the simple, pure freedom of riding a bicycle and providing that experience for others, joy abounds.

The same can hold for a believer’s life in Jesus Christ. Early in the journey, the freedom experienced by following Jesus Christ produces deep, abundant joy. As we live, complications accumulate and often become joy-stealing distractions. In those moments, we can forget the joy of the early days when Jesus freed us from the confines of the old life to experience the freedom of the new life in Him.

Years before writing Galatians, Paul visited the Galatians and shared with them the freedom and joy of following Jesus. He taught them the pure Gospel: salvation is the gift of grace from God that comes by faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone. He taught that no amount of work could be done by a sinner to earn that gift. The sinner recognizes his sin, believes, confesses, repents, and reaches for God’s extended hand of grace. God gives it. Simple. Thus, the believer is freed from the confines of the old life to experience the joy of eternal life with Jesus Christ.

The Galatians believed this simple Gospel. But after a period of enjoying this simple freedom, people claiming to be Gospel teachers entered Galatia and added requirements. They complicated the Gospel. The joy of freedom in Christ faded. Paul learned of this and through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote The Letter of Paul to the Galatians, a heated, intense reminder that salvation is by faith alone in Christ alone. He refocused them by demanding they return to the basics.

Go:

• When did you receive God’s gift of salvation through trust in Jesus Christ? God loves you and longs for you to accept Him.
• How do you thoughtfully and carefully listen to people who claim to be teachers? Do they align with Scripture? Are they adding value to your life? Do their teachings complicate the Gospel?
• Have you accumulated complications in your life that diminish simple joys? Make a list of those complications. Analyze and eliminate those you can eliminate. Develop a plan to address those that must remain joyfully.

Workout:

Galatians; Romans 6-8; Ephesians 2:1-10

Overtime:

Father, thank you for the simplicity of your Gospel. Thank you for Jesus Christ, your gift of grace who freed us from the confines of our old life. Please help us to analyze our lives and remove tasks that complicate our joy in you. If they can’t be removed, please help us have joy in accomplishing them for your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.