Christian Daily Devotional (February-05-2023) CALLED TO LIVE IN FREEDOM.
Scripture Reference: Galatians 5:13-14 TLB - “For you have been called to live in freedom — not freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, but freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
Our short passage starts with an important reminder that we have been called unto liberty. This means our kin salvation is one of freedom, and not of bondage. The Christian life is not a prison. Is being a love-slave.
However, our freedom has a purpose, and it is very important to keep that purpose in focus, so we do not abuse our liberty in Christ. Our passage brings out the purpose of our freedom.
1. Our freedom is NOT freedom to sin. Freedom is good, but an environment that gives freedom to sin is an ungodly one. If your environment finds a way of excusing or consistently explaining sin in a way that makes it continue, it is not a good environment.
2. Our freedom is to be able to serve one another in love. An environment that does not give freedom to love and serve one another is not a good environment. If you are not free to help or give to others you feel convicted to help, it is not good.
If you need permission from leaders or pastors before showing love to others, you should not be in that environment. If you could actually get into trouble for showing love without permission, it is an unchristian environment, without the liberty Christ gives us.
The passage did not say we should be free to “serve leaders/pastors in love”. It said “serve one another”. If you are in an environment where ONLY leaders can be served, it is not a good environment.
The whole law is summed up in one command: Love your neighbour as yourself, NOT “Love and serve your leaders only”. Wisely choose your environment. You should be free to stay or leave with wisdom not in contradiction for selfish reason.
PRAYER: Thank you my Lord and King, my great example of divine love without boundaries. As I study God's Word I grow in the love of God and in the liberty where I've been called in Jesus Mighty Name. Amen.
