“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1
Both our national freedom and our spiritual freedom were purchased at a great cost. Countless military personnel have volunteered to go to war for our nation, and each one knew they might have to die to secure the freedom we now enjoy. But when our Savior enlisted Himself to secure our spiritual freedom, He didn’t sign up with a “maybe.” He 100% knew—before He ever came—that He would suffer and die to secure eternal “true” freedom for the entire human race.
According to God’s Word, this freedom is a gift, and it is not to be wasted:
“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.” Galatians 5:13
So, how do we waste our freedom? By living for the flesh. Living for the flesh means living primarily to satisfy our own selfish desires. But does living for ourselves actually bring us true freedom? If so, why do we see skyrocketing rates of addiction, violence, suicide, abandonment, and despair? If self-gratification brings happiness, why are so many people broken and empty? This isn’t freedom—it’s bondage.
The spiritual freedom we have in Christ offers so much more than the “freedom” to sin. God has invited us to experience the blessings of true freedom, such as living in the love, power and wisdom of Christ. The evidence of His freedom is we produce His fruit:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23
Does loving others, humbling ourselves, and living in self-control sound like freedom?
To the flesh—it doesn’t. It’s not glamorous. It doesn’t align with the prosperity gospel, the Hollywood gospel, or the “me-first” gospel. The world’s message is: Get all you can, can all you get, and sit on the can.
But none of that goes with us when we leave this life. True freedom is found when we live in Christ. Jesus offers us peace that surpasses understanding and joy that blows our mind. When we taste His goodness, we want more of His mind, more of His service, and more of His fruit in our lives.
The first human “Independence Day” was in the Garden of Eden, when mankind decided we would define good and evil.
It was a disaster. Ever since, people have been declaring independence from God and enslaving themselves to sin. Deep down, we know that freedom requires order, and order requires restraint. The only restraint that honors true freedom is self-restraint. But even our self-restraint is flawed because our hearts are “deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.” Jeremiah 17:9
The sinful heart will always pursue freedom from God, and that road leads to destruction. But for those who love Christ—He is our life. Jesus has set us free to love and to serve:
“For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” Philippians 2:13-15
The only freedom that really blesses us is freedom from sin through Jesus Christ. All other freedoms flow from this one. Freedom in Christ is the freedom to love God and love others well. As we enjoy our precious freedom in Jesus, let us walk humbly with God and use our freedom to glorify God.
Reflection Thought
True freedom is not the right to do whatever we want—it’s the power to do what is right for God’s glory. Jesus died to give us this freedom. Are we using it to love and serve, or are we wasting it on ourselves?
Prayer
Father God, thank You for the priceless freedom we have in Christ. Teach us not to use this freedom to chase after selfish desires, but to love and serve You and others with humble hearts. Help us to shine as lights in this dark world and to walk in the fullness of the Spirit. Remind us daily that true freedom is found in surrender to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
