GALATIANS 5
11 But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. 12 I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves! 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. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.
– Galatians 5:11-15
GALATIANS 5 TRUTH BASED FREEDOM
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
Christ died for you to set you free from the bondage of sin
Use such freedom to love another and not to cater to your flesh
When liberty is used to express what is true and right
You are honoring the Lord who gave himself up to die
Do not be tempted to use freedom to fight for your own rights
When you believe, your rights have been surrendered to Christ.
The apostle Paul cautions the Galatian believers on how to live in the freedom that Christ died for. He warns them not to misuse the liberty that was granted to all those who believed in Christ. Because we live in this corrupt world, the flesh could easily want to use freedom to satisfy their cravings. In verse 14, Paul reminds them of the law of loving your neighbor as yourself. The fulfillment of the law is through loving our neighbor as we love ourselves. Freedom will follow if we love one another and not follow the way the world uses autonomy.
In the world system, freedom is taken so much out of context. Freedom for many worldly people means that they can do whatever they please. Our sinful nature caters to satisfy the “self.” When we are the center of our lives, we become very selfish and we can easily use freedom to justify our desires. It is very easy to forget others when we are so obsessed with self-gratification. A truth-based freedom is one that is motivated by love and not by ambition and power.
REFLECTION
- How has the world misuse freedom and why do you think they think this way?
