Galatians 4:8-9 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?
Prior to coming to Christ, by nature, we are slaves to our sin. We placed other things into our lives that take the rightful position that God should have. Not only do we place those things into a high position, we become enslaved to them. Earthly desires, lusts of the flesh, and comforts of this world have have been replaced by the things of Christ.
Paul reminds me that I have turned from other gods and the things of this world. It’s like a slave, once he has been freed, returning to his chains. It reminds me of the Proverb, “As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.”
Only by God’s grace am I able to keep from turning to my old ways. As I embrace the truth of the Gospel and live it out daily through the power of the Holy Spirit I am able to break the chains that keep me coming back to my past sin. Being known by God and walking in that truth keeps me from the worldly pursuits that are weak and worthless.
Lord, help me today to walk in the ways of your Word. To embrace the power of the Gospel in my life and walk in wholeness and purity knowing that it is you who keeps me and strengthens me. Thank you for rescuing me from the depths of my bondage to sin and death. Amen.