Walking in Freedom
“For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.”
Paul suggests in Galatians that one of the ways that we stay free is by serving others in love. Some translations say, “Through love, become slaves to one another.”
There is always a temptation to be inwardly focused, looking out for number one at the expense of others. But Jesus invites us to a different way of living - that life, true life, is found in laying down our rights and powers, in love for others.
The theologian N.T. Wright suggests that our hearts are always enslaved by something and that we can only find freedom when we allow them to be enslaved to love. This runs against the grain of our culture, which suggests that freedom is found in doing whatever we want, however we want. What if, instead, true freedom is not a license for self-indulgence but an invitation to express love and service to others?
Today, reflect on how you can practically walk in the freedom Christ has given you. How can you express love and service to those around you, breaking free from any tendencies toward self-centred living? May you stand firm in the liberty Christ has provided, embracing a life marked by love, authenticity, and service to others.
How can you practically walk in the freedom Christ has given you, expressing love and service to others?