FREEDOM AS OPPORTUNITY

FREEDOM AS OPPORTUNITY

“As for you, my friends, you were called to be free. But do not let this freedom become an excuse for letting your physical desires control you. Instead, let love make you serve one another.” Galatians 5:13 GNTGalatians 5:13 GNTAs for you, my friends, you were called to be free. But do not let this freedom become an excuse for letting your physical desires control you. Instead, let love make you serve one another.

Many times the message of grace becomes the very stumbling block, especially if it lands in the ears of one whose flesh is still alive. In our theme scripture, the apostle Paul reminds us that we are free men through the covenant we have been invited into through Christ, but He urges us not to take this freedom for granted by using it for our satisfaction.

If a head of state for example did everything he wanted because he has the power to, he would even kill a man that has upset him simply because he can. That is why a set of constitutional laws are put in place and exempt no man so that there may be regulation and order in a nation. So it is with the message of Grace, we who believe are kings and priests unto God (Revelation 1:6Revelation 1:6and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.) and what we bind on earth is bound in heaven (Matthew 18:18Matthew 18:18“Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.) and should therefore see to it that whatever we open our mouths to do is bless, restore and love the people whom He died for, and only speak a curse to the prince of this world that causes one to stumble (Matthew 18:6Matthew 18:6“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.).

Child of God, Paul ends with an instruction that frames how you use the power you have been given through Christ: ‘let love make you serve one another for the whole law is summed up in one commandment — love your neighbor as you love yourself’.

This is how you love the sinner and hate their sin, this is the power that enables you to pray for your enemies with no guile, this is what empowers you to serve wholeheartedly with your eyes fixed on Jesus and not ulterior motives. Praise God!

Prayer: Father I thank you for this word. Your grace enables me to feel after you and care for what matters to you. I exercise the power given to me according to the most important command which is to love one another as self and to allow this love to drive our undefiled worship to your presence in others. My spirit abides by this law that makes just men perfect, in Jesus’ name. Amen!

CI.