Christian Freedom
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Galatians 5
Galatians 5
Paul tells the Galatians to not fall back under the Law because that would be a form of falling back into slavery and no longer being free in Christ.
Today for us its not so much falling back under Law its more so living in Freedom in the sense of living a life with no obligation or intention that makes us fall back into slavery.
When we thing about what we know about freedom and what weve learnt we can confidently say that true freedom is found in Christ and Sin is the worst form of slavery and Jesus sets us free from that.
Freedom is something that happens in the soul in the inside and it only comes from committing to one way.
We sometimes think that freedom is being free from burdens like people wanting you to do things and and having less accountability and more space to do whatver we like.
This is what the world teaches us that freedom is. All over media all in the conversations its about getting away from everything , getting away from responsibility and we are taught thats what true freedom is.
The world defines freedom as avoidance from commitment and demands and maximising our choices to do anything we want.
Sometimes we allow our views of what true freedom is to mould the way we see scripture. “where the spirit of the Lord is there is freedom”.
We sometimes hear sermons or in our conversations about watching out for legalism or identifying legalism but at the same time disregarding the fact that we can be leaning towards antinomianism.
We sometimes have this idea that to be free in Christ means were free from every expectation and we should not feel any pressure to change our ways or to grow.
But really we need change and we need help. How do we find this help and change to live in freedom? In the body of Christ. Being in the body and participating in the Body of Christ is what helps you align your outer life with Christ.
Its amazing to see Paul foresaw this in his time and he wrote to the Galatians in:
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
He shows us that freedom is not being able to do whatever you want and to have no obligations but true freedom is actually serving one another.
We must always serve somebody or something. Think about it, when you are not serving you are doing nothing. You begin to serve your flesh , you begin to not enjoy God anymore.
The verb for slave or the doing word of slave is to serve.
18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.
22 For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ.
6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,
Christian freedom comes in 2 stages: Justification and Sanctification.
These 2 stages correspond to two forms of bondage: spiritual and moral.
When were in Spiritual bondage we lie under the power of sin and guilt. This makes live in condemnation and it stops us from being able to leave our past behind, live with meaning or intention or face the future without fear.
Were set free from this bondage by the gospel. Christ accomplished our freedom from this bondage at the cross through his death and resurrection.
Even though this gift of freedom is here infront of us we cant experience it because of sin and the habits we put ourselves into.
Even though weve been reconciled to God through Christ we still struggle to encounter him because we sometimes have a sin that holds us back.
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
When we are experiencing Sanctification its the moral freedom of believers to do whatever we desire rather than do what our flesh desires from moment to moment.
Growth in sanctification is a lifelong process in keeping in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:25
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
The Spirit helps us to take every thought and desire captive to obey Christ.
5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
This freedom isnt a freedom to find yourself of be yourself but its a freedom that comes from living for and discovering your trure fulfillment in serving others.
14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Sometimes us as Christians dont see freedom as serving eachother because of consumerism or always wanting to recieve instead of giving.
We think that freedom is keeping your options open and not being tied down by expectations. This perspective makes your water down your commitment to the church.
Being free from commitments doesnt make you happier. It just cuts off meaningful relationships with others. If you think about it some of the most meaningful things that has happened in our lives or while we were Christian was only found when were functioning together as a body. Worshipping together, fellowshipping for hours , baptisms, serving eachtoher and being around eachother, having eachother there for eachother. That was only found in the body.
True freedom is found in submitting ourselves for the good of others.
Living under Gods authority and what intends for us to do is the source of where true freedom comes from.
Pursuing true freedom in Christ requires identifying counterfeit forms of freedom. Also resisting the world when it says that true freedom is being yourself.
The World tells you what its definition of freedom is and only gives you slavery as a result but Christ promises a yoke of service that gives us true freedom.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
