What does freedom mean?

Galatians 5:13-21

¹³ 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. ¹⁴ For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” ¹⁵ But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.

¹⁶ So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. ¹⁷ The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. ¹⁸ But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.

¹⁹ When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, ²¹ envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

What comes to mind when you hear freedom? We likely think of our ability to make our own choices, to do what we want without negative consequence. However, Paul provides us with a Biblical understanding of freedom, a means to serve one another in love. This is what Jesus did each day, taking on the likeness of man and choosing to serve. This is the example we are called to follow too.

Freedom isn’t found in putting ourselves first and paying attention to our own needs. Rather true freedom is found in being like Jesus. Through his death on the cross, Jesus has brought us forgiveness of sins, through his Holy Spirit we are led in way of love and empowered to serve one another.

Lord, thank you that through you we have freedom. Please help us to use this freedom for your glory, to serve each other, and not to satisfy our sinful natures. Help us to listen and be guided by your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Written by Ps. Andrea Molteno