Home -- English -- Galatians - 026 (Do not convert liberty into licentiousness, but stand fast in the service of love)
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GALATIANS - I Have Been Crucified With Christ
Studies in the Letter of Paul to the Galatians
PART 4: FREEDOM FROM THE LAW OF MOSES IS THE FOUNDATION OF CONDUCT IN THE HOLY SPIRIT (Galatians 5:1 – 6:18)
2. Do not convert liberty into licentiousness, but stand fast in the service of love (Galatians 5:13-15)
GALATIANS 5:13-15
13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!
Christ delivered every believer from the power of sin, the yoke of selfishness, the nightmare of law, the fear of death, the grip of the devil, and the wrath of God. How great is the Christian liberty! Did you know that Christ came to deliver you from all these destructive powers? You do not need to profess to be religious, or to keep certain rules to be saved, for you have been saved because of your faith in the Crucified. You are delivered from the condemnation of God.
However, this salvation does not mean that you have been delivered from everything, which may destroy you that you can now live for yourself, wanton, be drunk, and commit adultery, thinking that there is no power to punish you in this world or in the world to come. You have been called from death to life, from selfishness to love, from the worship of the devil to the protection of the followers of Christ, and from the wrath of God to the service of love to men. Therefore, the liberty of the believer is founded on two words: “from” and “to”, and not only on one of them.
There is no unlimited freedom, for love is the limit of freedom. Love is the sum of our spiritual freedom, for it is the essence and the crown of Christianity. How astonishing! We find no other meaning in the Law, than love, which is the fulfillment of the law. Does Paul call us once again to keep the law when he had proved to us that we have been delivered from it? No, for love is not a duty on the believer. It is a privilege and pleasure. He wants with all his heart to love all men. Furthermore, as God is love, lovingkindness, mercy, and comfort, so he guides his children to practice active love, which is void of hypocrisy, in practical services. Of course, this divine love comes not from man, but from the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, who is the love of God himself. He prompts us to carry it out, as Christ gave his life a ransom for the disobedient.
Do you love your adversaries, and pray for them? Did you rejoice when you saw a spiritual brother coming to you on the way? Do you think how to help your neighbor, or your friend practically? Do you only pity him, and not help him? How do they meet together in your church? Do discussions take place in a friendly manner, or does everyone want to emphasize his own opinions? He, who quarrels, disturbs the peace, and crows like a cock, participates in the destruction of the church. Christ beatified the meek for they shall inherit the earth. Christian liberty is not selfishness, or personal enjoyment, but consecration for love services. Did you become liberated from yourself, and adult in love to others?
PRAYER: O Love, you are God, and you appeared in Christ who was crucified for us. Fill our hearts with your essence that we may forget ourselves, and serve the others in the power of the Holy Spirit, not living for ourselves, but committing ourselves to you, changing into an embodied love together with all our friends, brothers, neighbors, and enemies that no man remains selfish, but all become your servants.
QUESTION:
- What is Christian liberty?