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 thank God that we are free, but have you ever wondered what freedom means?
Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines freedom as “A state of exemption from the power or control of another; liberty; exemption from slavery, servitude, or confinement. Freedom is personal, civil, political, and religious.”
We enjoy many freedoms in the United States. The Declaration of Independence states that all people have a right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Many people define this to mean we should seek as much pleasure and thrills as possible. However, you can never achieve this all the time, so you feel disappointed when you don’t have it. So, living on a carousel of pleasure-seeking is an empty dead end.
Instead, true happiness is not a fleeting emotion but contentment with life that comes from surrender to God. “Give me happiness, O Lord,” says the Psalmist, “for I give myself to you” (Psalm 86:4 NLT). And as we give ourselves to God, we are free from bondage to sin and free to serve others in love.
Rather than being held captive by our own desires, freedom in Christ means that we are free to love as God loves. As we give ourselves wholly to a holy God, we can live in holiness and find the happiness and freedom found in putting others’ needs before our own. As we celebrate our nation’s independence, may we be reminded of our dependence on each other and our need to live a life of surrender to God.
Here are 4 motivating ways to be FREE and know real freedom:
1. FIND your freedom in Jesus:
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery." – Galatians 5:1
2. RUN to the grace of Christ who gives freedom:
"I am amazed how quickly you are deserting the One who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 which is not even a gospel. Evidently some people are troubling you and trying to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse! 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be under a curse!" – Galatians 1:6-9
3. ELIMINATE Spirit-quenching bondage:
"So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law." – Galatians 5:16-18
4. EXERCISE Spirit-filled habits:
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law" – Galatians 5:22-23
Dig Deeper
- What does it mean that we have been called to live in freedom? How might you be tempted to use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, as Paul talks about in Galatians 5:13?
- What’s one way you can use your freedom to serve others in love this week?
9 Prayers for Independence Day
We are so blessed to live in a free country. We hear phrases like this, yet it’s so easy to take this gift for granted. The beautiful thing is that all followers of Jesus have freedom in Christ regardless of where they live in the world or the type of government that rules over them. However, we celebrate here in America this time of year because we get to live out that freedom uniquely. Did you know there are parts of the world where it is illegal to speak of Jesus or own a Bible? Living in America, we have the freedom to meet as a Body of Believers, worship Jesus freely, and share the gospel, among many other things. Let’s praise God for this truth! And as you celebrate this Independence Day, here are some Scriptures and guided prayers to help you.
So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.
– John 8:36
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
God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy.
– Psalm 68:6
Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay.
– Romans 8:20-21
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
– Philippians 4:19
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
– 2 Corinthians 9:8
Come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him.
– Psalm 95:1-2
So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.
– Galatians 5:1
I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
– Philippians 4:11-13
