Galatians 5:13 13For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Grace makes free. The gospel brings freedom. We can consider this in two ways. On the negative side, the gospel brings freedom from sin and bondage to the law (Romans 8:1-2). Both sin and the law bound by sin enslave people and cause them to struggle under human effort. This is especially true for sincere seekers of God, which the Galatian churches were. Sin deceives us into thinking that certain actions will bring happiness, joy, and peace. But because we are bound by pride and selfishness, which show up in lust, immorality, and idolatry in all of its forms, we find ourselves trapped and tricked because temptations do not satisfy the deep longing of the human heart.
On the positive side, the gospel brings freedom to love and enjoy life that is at peace with God and other people. The law that once trapped us becomes the guide for holiness. We learn what it means to love by following God’s commands. The self that once was deceived by the world has been put on the cross and a new life of faith is developed. We see people differently, not as objects to be used but people to love. Relationships that once were conditioned upon certain responses now become opportunities for discipleship and deep friendship. The freedom of the gospel is what people long for but do not know where to find.
Paul reminds the Galatians of this calling. This is God’s will for all people. His grace draws us towards this freedom. The problem the Galatians faced was that they had experienced this freedom when they became believers. The Holy Spirit had begun working in their lives. But along the growth path, they were deceived into thinking that they had to do certain things, such as circumcision. At first, this may not have seemed like a big issue. But Paul in his wisdom and experience knew that this path of “works of the law” and self-righteousness would lead to temptations to exert self above faith in Christ. Anytime self is elevated above Christ, temptations of the flesh will emerge. At first, these may not seem like a big deal, but they will grow and draw a person away from Christ and lead to bigger sins. That is why Paul gives such dire warning in this chapter and will even list some of the dangerous “act of the flesh” in vv. 19-21.
One simple solution to ensure that the freedom of Christ continues in a person’s life is to serve one another through love. Love that is prompted and empowered by the Holy Spirit will lead to many other qualities that indicate freedom. To serve requires putting the needs of others ahead of our own. It requires that we put aside our personal agendas and do what will benefit others. This is not a weak giving in to the wants of others but a wise and strong discernment of how to help others put their faith in Christ. Sometimes this may lead to rejection and suffering, but this is the way of the cross.
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