Free To Do What?

Galatians 5:13
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature rather, serve one another in love.

We pride ourselves in the United States of America as being the land of the free and the home of the brave. There are a lot of liberties that we enjoy because of so many people who fought for our freedom in this country. In 1863 Abraham Lincoln freed the Africans from slavery in America. We really didn’t get our full rights as citizens until 1964 with the passing of the Civil Rights bill. Many of the slaves that were freed didn’t even know what to do even though the law of the land had freed them their minds still told them that they were slaves. It was not until many of them like Frederick Douglas, Sojourner Truth, and Booker T. Washington were educated that they begin to give Africans in America leadership after slavery. Frederick Douglas said it best, “if there is no struggle there is no progress.” To walk in freedom after being a slave is a struggle.

There are many former slaves in post-modern America who have been freed but still struggle with spiritual slavery. They are white, black, Latino and Asian. People who were slaves to their sinful condition but many have experienced liberation through the forgiveness of sins in Jesus Christ. Many of us who are Christians are grateful for the emancipation of our souls through Jesus. The word of God says for whom the Son sets free we are free indeed! Free to do what?! If we are free to do what everybody else does then what are the distinguishing traits of a Christian?

The Apostle Paul tells us not to sue our freedom to indulge in the sinful nature. We can’t go back to what God delivered us from. Here in lies the human struggle. There is always a struggle between our Spirit and our flesh. You cannot despair over the struggle but you must be conscious of the struggle every day. That’s why Jesus said, “if you are going to be my Disciple you must deny yourself daily, take up your cross and follow me.” Every day I’m struggling to remain free and not indulge in the stuff that makes me a slave.

Free to do what?! We are supposed to pursue our freedom to serve one another in love. We are to serve each other in Agape love; that love that looks out for the good of other people and not your own selfish interests. When you have been set free from your indebtedness of sin you show gratitude to God and your human neighbors by serving them in love.

How do you overcome the struggle and make progress in the Spirit?

1. Verse 16 Live by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. God’s Holy Spirit whispers it doesn’t scream. So you must quiet yourself to hear where God is leading each day. Get quiet in devotion and remove the noise from your life to hear God.

2. Verse 25 Keep in step with the Spirit. Follow God’s leading. Go where he tells you to go and avoid places you know lead you back to slavery.

3. Verse 26. Stay Humble. Do not allow yourself to become conceited and envious of other people. Wanting what other people have leads you back to slavery.

Dear God,

Help me to keep in step with the Holy Spirit. I don’t want to abuse my freedom and make myself a slave all over again. Keep my mind free so that I will not enslave my body from what you have already freed me from. Thank you for setting me free so that I can do your will. Eventhough you set me free I’m glad to be your slave and I’m ready to do your will, by keeping in step with the Holy Spirit.

In Jesus Name,
Amen