Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. – Galatians 5: 1

Several states in America have enacted a stand your ground law. It used to be that a person was encouraged and even required to flee in the face of an attack which they perceived as a threat to their life. With the stand your ground law, citizens are no longer required to flee, but authorized to stand their ground and even shoot to kill anyone who they perceive to be threatening their life. While the aim of this law may have been to empower citizens to protect themselves, it has clearly been abused to embolden some to recklessly injure the innocent.

Of course, this legal and moral matter cannot be resolved here. However, it can be said that Paul proposed a stand your ground law for Christians nearly 2000 years ago. He said that Christians have been made free and they should: “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free.” Consider these consequences of this Christian stand your ground law:

(1). We do not have to fight to be free. Christ has already made us free. All we have to do is stand in that freedom. (2). Even though we may be tempted, we must not be entangled again in the bondage from which we have been set free. It is easy to look back, turn back or go back. However, if we stand fast and hold our ground, we can say: “Like a tree planted by the water. I shall not be moved!” (3). When we stand in the liberty of Christ, we can enjoy it. Just as one basks in the sunshine on a beautiful Caribbean beach, we can soak in and sink in the liberty of Christ. He died to secure it for us. The least we can do is stand in it long enough to enjoy it. (4). Since, this liberty has already been secured, we should not allow anyone to take it back. There is to be no debate about this. This liberty cannot be repealed, revoked or revised. We are free in Christ for now and forever. Therefore, stand your ground!