By A. Dru Kristenev ——Bio and Archives--September 27, 2023
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Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (KJV)
In the freedom, then, with which Christ did make you free -- stand ye, and be not held fast again by a yoke of servitude; (YLT)
Apostle postle Paul was directly correlating “the yoke of bondage” or “servitude” to being compelled by legalism to take on the outward signs of piety by making physical changes to one’s body. He was talking about circumcision.
There was a deeper understanding that he was getting across through this and other verses in his missives – that of what true liberty in Christ looks like. Cutting away a portion of one’s body was not it. It was a vehicle of control. Galatians 6:13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. (KJV)
What was a sign of compliance with traditions demanded by the law delivered by Moses had become a sign of enslavement, a limitation of personal freedom that, although deeply private, could be used against an individual by religious oppressors. Spying on men in their most intimate moments, exaggerated reports of noncompliance were used to implicate and arrest “ringleaders” like Paul, which led to his eventual beheading in Rome by Nero.
Arguably, nothing much has changed. Liberty through Christ1 is again (as has occurred many times over the last two millennia) under scrutiny and virtually outlawed by a tyrannical regime. If someone isn’t willing to flaunt the cutting of their bodies (as occurred on the White House lawn last spring), or publicly agree and concede to State doctrine, however perverse or debased, they are proclaimed enemies or terrorists. The same was true for the followers of Jesus, known at the time as “The Way.”
But what was it “The Way” to? It was the path to freedom of faith, of peace, of grace, of salvation, of forgiveness, which could not be attained by working with all one’s might to follow each and every ordinance devised by men.
It was expected that keeping the laws of personal conduct were the ticket to avoid harassment by the religious hierarchy, included with that were crimes of thought and speech. Should anyone express an opinion differing from the additional traditions tacked onto the Law, they were subject to vilification, incarceration, and, ultimately, death.
The self-righteous that are seated in government, dictating adherence to their pagan religion of non-binary sexes and climate change, are the modern persecutors of free-thinkers.
It doesn’t stop there. The “yoke” is also one of financial shackles, restricting individuals from using the fruits of their labor to benefit themselves and their families to the point of theft via debanking, inflation and taxation. It is the destruction of the national (and by connection, global) economic infrastructure in order to enslave everyone other than government administrators, officeholders, and the fabulously wealthy, self-empowered rulemakers.
In Paul’s time, the “bondage” was all inclusive as it is now. In the pagan societies where he preached, every method of submission was exploited. Individuals were forced to conform using economic pressure – cutting them off from gainful employment, the ability to sell or buy, or protect possessions from plundering government and outlaws; social pressure – isolating, defaming, and denouncing them; and political pressure – censuring and imprisoning them for not following “approved” ideology.
Scripture is as relevant today as it ever was in describing the evils of despotism and how it is imposed on populations through fear of dissenting with those currently wielding power, whether religious tyrants or secular thieves.
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Note that where the Bible warns of oppression, it also foretells how evil is perpetrated and its ultimate demise. This is just an example:
Proverbs 29:4,12,16 – The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it… If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked… When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall. (KJV)
God has ever been an advocate for freedom and salvation, relegating evildoers to their just ends has been witnessed from the Flood, to the Exodus, and to Jesus’ final sacrifice on the Cross. In every case, it takes a few believers to stand for the Lord and not be fainthearted, but be willing to act by faith.
We need that now. There can be no hiding from evil by ignoring it, thinking God will intervene without believers’ active engagement. Each rescue came through the faithfuls’ obedient action, not passivity. Inaction will ensure evil a win. Short-lived though such a win may be, increasing hardship, suffering and death will ensue if we do nothing.2
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Former newspaper publisher, A. Dru Kristenev, grew up in the publishing industry working every angle of a paper, from ad composition and sales, to personnel management, copy writing, and overseeing all editorial content. During her tenure as a news professional, Kristenev traveled internationally as a representative of the paper and, on separate occasions, non-profit organizations. Since 2007, Kristenev has authored five fact-filled political suspense novels, the Baron Series, and two non-fiction books, all available on Amazon. Carrying an M.S. degree and having taught at premier northwest universities, she is the trustee of Scribes’ College of Journalism, which mission is to train a new generation of journalists in biblical standards of reporting. More information about the college and how to support it can be obtained by contacting Kristenev at cw.o@earthlink.net.
ChangingWind (changingwind.org) is a solutions-centered Christian ministry.