Called to Freedom

“For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.” Galatians 5:13

We often think of freedom as a green light to do anything we want, as long as nobody gets hurt. But this is a rather shallow definition of freedom, and certainly not a biblical one. Paul writes, “You have been called to live in freedom.” The freedom we are called to live in is freedom from the curse of the Law, freedom from the guilt and punishment of sin. 

Does this mean we no longer sin? Oh! How I wish that was the case! Although we have been redeemed by the blood of Christ, our sinful nature is, unfortunately, alive and well. Temptation is ever knocking at the door, but God has given us the gift of the Holy Spirit, empowering us to overcome temptation rather than to satisfy the sinful nature within us. 

Forgiveness is complete and available when we stumble and fall, but Paul encourages us not to use this newly found freedom of ours to satisfy our sinful nature. Instead were are to use it to serve one another in love. Through the power of the Holy Spirit living in us, we can love our fellow man as Christ loved us. This is the freedom we are called to live in.