“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13)
Our nation is on the verge of celebrating its 245th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and it appears as though we have retreated from its original purpose to declare ourselves an independent country with no need of God. With all the entanglements in which we find ourselves these days (i.e. politically, economically and socially), we do not have a clear understanding or a clear direction.
I am not a sailor. But I remember while living in Uruguay, the early navigators would seek out the Southern Cross to lead them in the right direction. Well, it appears as though, our nation both Christian and non-Christian must return once again to the liberty that only Christ can offer us. It is only through Him that we can have true liberty and freedom.
Paul writes that we “have been called unto liberty”. However, we have used our liberty and freedom as an excuse to “sow our wild oats”, “do whatever we want to do”, and “live however we want to live” without regard to others. This is not the way life should be, but our independence has led us down a path of arrogance, self-indulgence and short-sightedness. In turn, this lifestyle is not making us free, but it is enslaving us more and more to our own sinfulness. Sadly enough, our Christian community is not immune to this slavery.
Paul shows both Christian and non-Christian a better way…”use liberty for an occasion to serve one another by love”. Of course, this is a self-less love, an unconditional love which only comes through a relationship in Christ Jesus. It is through this relationship with Christ that the believer should not seek his own desires, his own ambitions, and his own freedom, but should serve others by loving them. The believer now seeks the best for his family, his friends, his coworkers, his neighbors, and yes, even his enemies.
Christ’s death on the Cross made this type of love possible. Jesus said, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36) In other words, there are no more entanglements; there is no more enslavement; there is no longer a lack of clarity of understanding and direction. He, the Son, has set us free to serve others by His love.
On this Independence Day, remember not only that our liberty has been bought with the price of soldiers giving their lives for ours, but also remember the price that Jesus Christ paid for us to be free to serve others by His love.
Until Next Month,
Bro. Lyle