“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 (NLT)
I recently saw a bumper sticker that made me smile. It said, “If you like your freedom, thank a vet.” Having served, I appreciated the sentiment.
The Department of Veterans Affairs reports that as of 2014, there were only 22 million military veterans in the U.S. Only 7.3 percent of all living Americans have served in the military at some point in their lives. This statistic really made me think.
As Americans, we must ask the question: What are we doing with that precious freedom? Has that freedom compelled us to become grateful, patriotic citizens? While the small number of veterans willing to die for so many others really felt staggering, it made me remember that there was One who laid down His life for all. Yes, Jesus willingly went to the cross and bore all our sin so that we could live in freedom.
As Christians, we must ask a similar question regarding our spiritual freedom: What are we doing with the freedom that came to us through the blood of Jesus? Jesus died to give us grace and set us free from the law.
In today’s verse, Paul instructs the church at Galatia to live in the freedom of grace. However, Paul teaches them that their freedom is not a license to do anything they want. They were to use their freedom to serve one another in love.
As we reflect on the many veterans who laid down their lives to give us freedom, we realize freedom isn’t free. Those brave men and women of our armed forces paid the ultimate price. As we think about our spiritual freedom, we also realize that it wasn’t free either. Jesus paid the ultimate price on the cross.
Are you exercising your spiritual freedom to serve others? Are you telling others how they can find real liberty in Christ? Are you living in the freedom of grace, or are you still living as though you were in bondage?
John 8:36 reminds us, “So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.” Let’s live like the free people we are, mindful of the sacrifice others made so that we could be free.
Digging Deeper
1.) What difference has freedom in Christ made in your life?
2.) How can you use your freedom in Christ to serve others in love this week?
