Loving liberty

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. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this:“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” - Galatians 5.13-14

'Well Roger, you certainly sound like you believe that we Christians can just do whatever we want since we are free in Christ.' 

Some folks would say, 'wow, that's great' while others might say 'you've become quite the liberal haven't you?'

Either of those responses could not be further from the truth. And all because of the passage before us today. Here Paul make the application we have been waiting for. 

'Yes, you are called to liberty, but don't use your liberty to satisfy your flesh.' 

Sure, we are free, but we need to be sure that we do use that freedom for ourselves. Remember the love we read about a couple of days ago? Well here is how it is made effective. Our liberty is not a license to sin. 

Instead our liberty is a license to love.  Through love serve each other. It really is not about what we can get, it is about what we can for others. What is the summation of the new law for us? Love your neighbour as yourself. 

Think about how our lives would be lived out if our lives were dictated by 'love your neighbour as yourself.' We wouldn't steal. We would avoid lusftul thoughts. We woildn't tempt each other with immodest dress. We would be respectful of each other. We would be careful of our testimonies. We would consider others in what we chose to do or not do.  

Yup, we are free in Christ. Absolutely. But let's make sure we are guided by serving and loving each other. If we did that we woildn't have to worry about the legalism that binds us to man's rules and traditions.