DISCUSSION: “ You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do
not use your freedom to
indulge
the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” Galatians 5. 13-14
What
is this freedom that Paul warns us not to misuse? Is it the freedom of basic
human rights that we enjoy in Western nations? Hardly! There are people in
prison as well as in other countries who enjoy the freedom Paul is talking
about—it’s the freedom that only the gospel brings, freedom from our slavery to
sin and to legalistic moral attitudes.
The
Galatians had enjoyed this freedom when they believed the gospel of Christ, but
it seemed they were about to be enslaved again by sin and legalism! Freedom is
precious. It’s bought with the priceless blood of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
President
Lincoln understood something about the precious value of freedom. Signing the
Emancipation Proclamation to free slaves in the United States, he made sure his
hand was steady before writing his name. Signing firmly, he stated, “I don’t
want it to look as if I hesitated.”
The
good news of Jesus sets people truly free. It’s the freedom that brings new
life and calls us to use it to serve others.
Go
out today and use your freedom as a Christian to serve others and live a life
of humility.