April 14
Free for What?
Galatians 5:13-14

  

13: For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
14: For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

He’s been stressing the importance of faith in Jesus Christ alone being all that’s needed for salvation.  He’s been emphasizing that we can’t earn salvation by doing ‘religious works.’  But now he says not to use that liberty as an occasion to the flesh.  Just because we don’t do certain works to earn salvation doesn’t mean we can keep every whim of the flesh.   Sin is still sin.  But how we deal with our sin is by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, not by trying to work it off.

Rather than giving in to our flesh and to our own selfish needs he says by love to serve one another.  The whole law is fulfilled in 2 commands of love.  To love God and love your neighbor as yourself (Matt. 22:36-40).

Jesus Christ didn’t take the punishment for our sin so we could keep sinning.   He did what He did so we have a way out of sin.  A way to live free from it.   As we believe in Him our hearts are changed and we’re strengthened by His Spirit to overcome sin.

We’re not free to sin, but free from sin.

 

Confession:

I will not use the liberty Jesus Christ has purchased for me to serve my flesh and sin.   I will use my liberty in Christ to love and serve fellow Christians.

Obedience is a tree of life!