Bondage?

Towards the end of a recent post ( January 11th) I commented that the natural condition of humanity is bondage. Regular readers know that if I had more wisdom I probably would not broach the subject. I refer to bondage to sin, and its inevitable outcome, bondage to others. Galatians 5 presents two extremes, the first of trying to keep the law, and thus to attempt to be righteous without Christ, and the second of believing that we can do whatever we want, that we are not answerable to God. Sometimes we try both. The first approach denies a need for Jesus and His atoning work for us. The second does not want Him to "interfere" with our desires and plans. For the follower of Christ the only middle way between these two extremes is absolute dependence on God through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Verses 17 and 18 sums this up for us. "For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh, and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law." (NKJV) Note how both extremes, of living under law and living to the flesh, are lumped together.
Human history shows bondage as well. Most people throughout history have lived under the control of kings or emperors or powerful elites. Even in democracies where people have the opportunity of voting on occasion they have little real power. Sadly, many churches show the same pattern of insecure leaders fighting for control. True freedom is found only in following the leading of the Spirit within the boundaries established in the Word of God.