Thankful Thursday #5

It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. ~ Galatians 5:1 (NASB)

With grateful thanks to Iris at Sting My Heart for hosting Thankful Thursdays!

Galatians 5:1 was the first Scripture verse I ever memorized. At the time I was a brand new baby Christian. I didn't even know there was a book of Galatians in the Bible! That was 28 years ago, and God has been teaching me about standing firm in my freedom for every one of those years.

You see, I was raised in a legalistic church. Yes, I believed in God, but I didn't have a relationship with him until I was 21. And I confess that I brought some of my oh-so-familiar legalistic tendencies with me into my relationship with God. And others encouraged me to keep them--and added more layers of legalism.

But every time I read Galatians 5:1 I remember that Jesus died to give me freedom not legalism.

And for that, I am eternally grateful.

And, with July 4th coming up, I am thankful for our military too. I have two friends whose husbands died while serving in foreign countries. The ultimate sacrifice. I am thankful for their service and their sacrifice. And I am thankful I live in a country where freedom is protected.