Every human is confronted with thousands of decisions every day. Most go without notice. There are others that cause the blood pressure to rise and bring stress. These decisions often have to do with what we will do with our lives. Paul asks a similar question in today’s devotion, “How are you going to live?”
GALATIANS 5:13
“For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
Freedom for New Believers
The church in Galatia was mired in legalism. There were Jews who were born-again believers trying to force the gentile believers to follow the Old Testament law and get circumcised. Paul wrote the book of Galatians to battle against that spirit. He expounds on the freedom new believers have in Jesus. As he starts to close his letter, he tells the Galatians not to go to the opposite end of the spectrum by using their liberty to satisfy their flesh, focusing instead on serving one another in love.
Legalist or Libertarian?
Christians often fall into one of two categories, legalism or liberty. Legalists make lists on things to do or not to do, and checking off those lists makes you are more holy. Libertarians have an “anything goes” mentality and live without a conviction of sin. Both of these camps stray far from God’s desire for your life, even though their adherents will tell you what a faithful Christian looks like.
How Are You Going to Live
I want to suggest a third camp, a servant. A servant isn’t a slave but submits himself like one. They look for what is best for others and work towards helping them. Their motivation stems from the love of Jesus overflowing out of their hearts. These servants can do anything they want, but they choose to glorify God with their actions and attitude. You are free in Christ. Now choose how you are going to live in that freedom?