This week, our nation celebrates 248 years of independence from British rule. The movement that fueled our Declaration of Independence was founded upon truths from Scripture concerning God-given rights that our founders believed were being wrongly denied. Those freedoms were successfully defended (and continue to be defended) through bloodshed. But “freedom” can be a perplexing concept sometimes. What is true freedom? Freedom is defined as the right to act as one wants without restraint or hindrance. On a national level, this means America has every right as a sovereign nation to make its own choices and laws, to govern itself without concern of outside interference. But how should we exercise “freedom” on a personal level?
The Apostle Paul speaks of freedom in his letter to the Galatian churches:
“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. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.” Ephesians 5:13-15 (ESV)
Galatian believers were puzzled with their new-found freedom in Christ apart from previous religious obligations in the Law. Yes, they were free from the Law of Moses as it was written, but Paul wanted the Galatians to see their freedom was not a call to unrestrained self-indulgence. Instead, freedom in Christ is freedom to love and serve one another without restraint or limitation. Followers of Christ have freedom to worship the LORD every day and everywhere. We have freedom to gather together and praise Jesus as His Church. This week, as you celebrate your freedom as Americans, will you also exercise your freedom in Christ by lovingly serving one another in the name of Christ? Rather than living to indulge our flesh, let us be truly free and live to indulge the Spirit of God Who dwells within us.