What comes to mind when you hear the word freedom? Do you think of being able to do whatever you want? Do you think of financial freedom? Do you think of being free to make your own choices? Do you think of freedom as being the opposite of slavery?
Freedom can mean different things to different people. It can mean getting away from a bad relationship. It can mean paying off your home or car loan. It can mean moving out of your parents’ house. It can also mean escaping from being oppressed or enslaved.
Our American culture often points freedom to our ability to seek a job where we want, earn a livable wage, and pursue the American dream of owning a house, having a spouse and children. We know that freedom came at a cost. Unfortunately, our culture has carried freedom to a level it was never meant to go—doing and saying whatever you want. With freedom comes responsibility.
Freedom, as the Apostle Paul speaks of it, is being free to obey God’s commands, no longer governed by our culture. Freedom to love everyone. In fact, Paul states, as part of his discourse on freedom, that the whole law is summed up in Jesus’ command to love your neighbor as yourself. His point is our freedom is the very reason why we should love everyone.
Our freedom in Christ came at a cost, just as our freedom as Americans came at a cost. This freedom comes with responsibility as well. Paul is implying that responsibility when he tells us to serve one another, rather than using our freedom for self-indulgence. In other words, don’t be selfish, be selfless. We are free to do that because Christ broke the shackles Satan had on us.
I pray we all know we have been set free. I pray we understand that with freedom comes responsibility. I pray each one of us use our freedom to love and serve one another. You are set free. Be responsible with your freedom. Love one another. Serve one another. Obey Jesus’ commands.
Galatians 5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters, only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become enslaved to one another.
Marty Pressey 