“Not all prisons have bars.  Some people suffer needlessly in the Prison of Religion.”  

Key Verse:  “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)

This is perhaps the saddest of all prisons—built by men, sometimes well-meaning, living as the Pharisees in the old covenants, all the while claiming to have accepted Christ and His blood of the new covenant.  These people heap burdens and rules on others that they do not and cannot keep.  (See Matthew 23:13-36)

Jesus said He came to “set the prisoners free”.  First, freedom from the prison of sin.  And, freedom from religion.  Christianity is not about religion.  It is about relationship!  Through salvation in Christ, we do not have to be “religious”.  We get to have a personal relationship with almighty, loving God as our Father.

Takeaway:  Today there are men on death row experiencing more freedom than some Christians.  Break free from the chains of religion.  Exchange:  Guilt for Grace.  Condemnation for Forgiveness. Helplessness for Hope.  Only then can you experience the “joy of the Lord” waiting for you on the other side of the Cross.