Galatians 5:13 – 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.
Christian life is a life of liberty.
Paul is writing this to the brethren, to those who have put on Christ (Galatians 3:37). It is to these, who have been made free in Christ and so that have the freedom, that Paul is writing. Paul says, now that they have the freedom they have in Christ, they are now called to stand firm in that freedom. Paul repeatedly makes this point, all through his letters and teachings, that Christ came to set us free. He came to set us free from the bondage of sin, not to be put into bondage again.
However, that freedom is not to be misused. The freedom we have in Christ does not give us the right to give in to our flesh. We are not to use our freedom to trample on others toes. Liberty is not the right to sin or the privilege to whatever evil my heart wants to do and then go back to God seeking forgiveness.
This freedom we have in Christ is to bless others. It is the Spirit-given desire and ability to do what we should do before God. We are to love one another. And that love is to lead to humbly serving one another.
Flesh expects others to conform to us, and doesn’t care about others. While through freedom in Christ, we conquer the flesh, by serving one another in love. Christ had more freedom than anyone else and yet He used His liberty to through love, serve others.
How are you serving those around you?
Lord help me reflect Your love to those around, Amen
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