What does it mean to be free?

When one thinks of freedom, it is often seen in the light of doing anything, any time, in any way one desires. But is this what freedom really looks like?

The Bible also points us to freedom. When Christ died on the cross, he chose to go to the cross despite the mockery, pain, despair and loneliness it cost him. And he did it for my liberty, your liberty — freedom from slavery to sin.

What does freedom really look like?

 

The promise

Paul in Galatians 3, talks about Jesus being the “seed” or offspring of Abraham through whom God’s promise to bless all the nations will be fulfilled. 

God did not forget this promise. He was bringing it all to pass in his perfect timing and wisdom. His promise was fulfilled through Jesus and that fulfilment has brought us liberty.

What for?

Yet, this freedom that has been bought by Christ and received through faith is not for me to do as I wish. In this freedom, I am to love God and love others. As Paul declares in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” 

In this freedom, I am to love God and love others.

It is a freedom led by the Spirit that produces the fruit of righteousness. So perhaps a question we need to constantly ask ourselves is — “Am I producing the fruit of the Spirit in my life?”

What does this look like in our everyday life?

we can choose

Paul gives us a good vision for this in Galatians 5:13-14 where he encourages us to “serve one another humbly in love”. Perhaps by looking at the fruit of the Spirit described in Galatians 5:22-23, we get a better glimpse into what it looks like to put love into action in our daily lives. 

Galatians 5:13-14 encourages us to “serve one another humbly in love”.

We can choose … 

To love when we have been hurt.

To be joyful in the little or more that we have.

To choose peace and not wage wars or easily find fault.

To be long-suffering when we face seasons when nothing seems to be going our way.

To be kind, when unkindness is on the tip of our tongues.

To choose goodness, even when we are unfairly treated.

To be faithful at home, at work, in relationships.

To be gentle; rebuking in love but affirming and reconciling in grace.

To have self-control, fleeing temptations and turning to Christ for help.

Our freedom has been bought for us by the blood of Christ. Let’s not waste this freedom but live wisely loving God and loving others.