While pastoring First Baptist Church in Purcell, Oklahoma, several church members had the opportunity to go on a mission trip to Romania with the Singing Church Women of Oklahoma.
During a group tour, one of the Romanian pastors shared his experience of the 1989 revolution, which led to the downfall of communism in Romania. He talked about the religious persecution and oppression that the Christians had to endure under the old regime.
Romanians who had been free from communism for over two decades started questioning the value of freedom due to economic hardships and irresponsible behavior. Many believed that irresponsible freedom was harming the country. Visitors noted Romania's shift from heavy-handed communism to irresponsible freedom.
In the book of Galatians, Paul addresses two extremes that can enslave or lead to irresponsible freedom for Christians.
Paul addressed extreme bondage and slavery because false teachers in Galatia promoted it. They went to such an extreme because of God's grace.
God's grace teaches that salvation is the work of God, not our good deeds. False teachers turned to legalism, believing that grace alone wouldn't produce good works. They feared that the freedom of grace would create irresponsible behavior, leading to the opposite extreme of legalism. Paul reminds us that our call to freedom in Christ is a call to responsible freedom.
Freedom in Christ is a call to responsible freedom.
Galatians 5:13 ESV
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
This particular verse marks the shift from legalism that has been addressed in the preceding chapters towards irresponsible freedom. The verse can be broken down into three main points: the appeal for freedom, the obstacle to freedom, and the outcome of freedom. Verses fourteen and fifteen further elaborate on these three ideas.
Paul reminds us that as believers in Jesus Christ, we are called to freedom. The word "called" implies that it is God who takes the initiative when it comes to our call to freedom. The call to freedom is equal to the call to salvation. The call of freedom is a call of grace that God initiates, and we respond to it by faith.
The verb "called" used in Galatians conveys the beginning and continuous nature of an action. Our freedom in Christ is not a one-time event but rather a lifelong journey that we are called to.
Christians are called to an inclusive freedom for all people of God.
Paul calls the people of God "brethren", indicating that all Christians are called to freedom in Christ. This freedom is achieved through the Son of God.
Christian Freedom is achieved through Jesus.
In Galatians, Paul argues that faith in Christ justifies us. We're freed from the Law's tyranny and guilt, accepted by God based on our Sonship in Christ and forgiven by God's mercy, not human merit. We're free from sin, death, and God's wrath and judgment. Christ achieved our freedom on the cross.
Christian freedom is sustained by the Holy Spirit.
In Galatians, Paul teaches about the importance of the Holy Spirit, which is highlighted in chapter five. He argues for justification by faith and emphasizes that the Christian life is sustained by the Spirit of God, not by rituals. Freedom is sustained by walking with the Spirit of God, which lives in every true believer.
What obstructs responsible freedom? Not walking in the Spirit. To walk in the Spirit, we must practice self-control instead of self-indulgence.
Responsible freedom requires self-control, not self-indulgence.
Galatians 5:13 ESV
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
It's possible to misinterpret the concept of freedom in Christ. Some people think that since Jesus has already granted us freedom and we are accepted based on his sacrifice on the cross, we have the license to sin. They believe that since Christ has already paid for our sins, we can do whatever we want. However, this is a distortion of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
In Christ, we are free from sin's power. But being free doesn't mean we can keep on sinning. We must understand that the gospel has the power to change us. So, remember this - I am free from sin, not free to sin.
If we are Christians striving to maintain our freedom in Christ by walking in the Spirit, then we will not use our freedom as an opportunity to indulge our fleshly desires.
Indulging in earthly desires despite freedom in Christ can paralyze spiritually, similar to legalism.
In Galatians, "flesh" has different meanings. In chapters 2 and 4, it's about our physical bodies. In chapters 5 and 6, it's negative, referring to our fallen nature, self-serving behavior, pride, and indulgence. It's the sinful nature we were slaves to before Christ.
Responsible freedom requires resisting our base nature. "Opportunity" in Greek means a military base or springboard. Freedom in Christ should not be used as a license to sin. Self-discipline from God's Spirit helps us say no to irresponsible freedom.
As followers of Christ, it is our responsibility to exercise self-discipline with the help of the Holy Spirit. We should avoid indulging in our earthly desires that Christ has liberated us from. True freedom in Christ does not give us the license to be selfish, but rather the freedom to seek God with sincerity and authenticity.
Responsible freedom requires loving service, not selfish ambition.
Galatians 5:13 ESV
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
God accepts us freely, but we shouldn't take advantage of others due to selfish ambition.
This verse teaches an interesting paradox: our freedom in Christ frees us from slavery and bondage to the Law and our sinful nature, but when we sustain our freedom responsibly by walking in the Spirit, we become slaves to others. We don’t become masters with many servants, but rather, servants with many masters.
Showing love through service is a clear indication that one is living a life led by the Spirit. The ultimate example of this kind of selfless service is demonstrated in the life of Jesus Christ. As stated in Philippians, Christ humbled himself, took on the role of a servant and ultimately gave his life on the cross to redeem us from our sins
When we walk in the Spirit and lovingly serve one another, we allow the life of Christ to live through us.
Paul's teachings in verse fourteen demonstrate that fulfilling the Law is achieved by practicing loving service in the Spirit towards one another.
Galatians 5:14 ESV
14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Paul teaches in Galatians that following the Law can't justify us before God. But, by lovingly serving one another and walking in the Spirit, we fulfill the Law. Loving God and our neighbors is the ultimate fulfillment of the Law.
Christians are not justified by the Law, but by Christ crucified. Our sanctification involves fulfilling the Law, which we can do with the Holy Spirit in us.
True freedom is experienced when we obey God's Word through the power of His Spirit; it is not the absence of Law.
Liberty is the fruit of a mature civilization," said Lord Acton. As a mature Christian community, we should fearlessly proclaim responsible freedom in Christ to protect ourselves from irresponsible freedom.
Walking in the Spirit protects the fellowship of the church.
Galatians 5:15 ESV
15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.
Church problems arise when God's people live selfishly and walk in the flesh, causing them to be self-centered and disregard the interests of others. Our love for others must come from a life guided by the Spirit's freedom, enabling us to become selfless servants who help others instead of ourselves.
Albert Schweitzer said there are helpers and non-helpers. I want to be a helper in the body of Christ, by walking in the Spirit. Responsible freedom in Christ means faith working through selfless love. The world will see our love and know we belong to Christ.
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