By David Phillips
How do you reconcile the seemingly conflicting ideas of spiritual freedom and service? In Gal. 5:1 Paul says, for freedom Christ has set us free. Then in the same chapter, verse 13, He reminds us we were called to freedom… But he immediately gives two conditions to be met, one a negative, the other a positive:
- Don’t misuse your freedom. Liberty can be thrilling but make sure you don’t run wild with it, using it to be able to do things you shouldn’t. Specifically, he says, Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh.
- Use your freedom to promote service. In that verse, he commands this alternative to the misuse of freedom: but through love serve one another.
Liberty in Christ sets us free from the guilt and bondage of sin and self, freeing us to turn our energies toward serving God and one another.