10/03/19 Freedom in Christ

READING: Song of Solomon 1-4, Galatians 4:21-5:15

I love the fact that the truth of Christ sets us free. When we follow Christ, He frees us from our bondages to sin. He frees us from the law when He grants us grace. He frees us from worry when we trust Him. He frees us to love others with abandon. He frees us from guilt as He forgives us. And, He ultimately frees us from the bonds of death through the promise of resurrection.

The freedom God gives us, though, is never a license to live however we wish. Paul stated this truth this way when he wrote to the Galatians: “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh” (Gal 5:13a). God freed us from sin, not in order that we might sin. Instead, we must not presume upon God’s grace, and we must choose in our freedom to walk in faithfulness.

That faithfulness is evident in the way we treat others, according to Paul: “But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love” (Gal 5:13b). Christ frees us not to get whatever we want, but to serve others in Christian love.

What I’m reminded of today is the simple truth that it’s not enough to see our freedom as only a release from sin that controls us. It’s not only a freedom from things we shouldn’t do; it’s a freedom so that we might do something.

PRAYER: “Thank You, God, for the freedom You give us. Help me to love others.”     

TOMORROW’S READING: Song of Solomon 5-8, Galatians 5:16-6:18

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