Freedom
By Kason Dietz
Scripture Text:
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.”
Galatians 5:13-15 NIV
Devotional:
Being free is a great thing. It’s something we enjoy here in the USA far more than any other place on earth. Freedom means many things to many people, but one thing seems universally true to all. The idea that freedom is only freedom in so far as it does not cause harm to those around you, because in so doing you deny them their freedom, to a degree.
Complete unchecked “freedom” including the right to harm who you will, really isn’t freedom, it’s anarchy.
The biblical idea of freedom is freedom from all that would enslave you: the world, the flesh, and the devil. And it is also the freedom not to be bound by selfishness. It is freedom to uplift others and serve them wholeheartedly. It is freedom to be humble.
That’s a weird concept at face value, but pride is a defense mechanism. Pride seeks to elevate the self above the opinions of others, so that a person is untouchable by their opinions. Humility on the other hand is the willingness to endure whatever opinions those around you have and instead weigh it all out and take a realistic view of yourself.
If we have been given freedom to be humble it is because we can take a realistic view of who we are in Christ. And his view is that we are worth everything, even His life.
Today, feel free because you are made in God’s image. You are free to view yourself with humility and in full knowledge that Jesus values you. Feel freedom to love and serve others. Feel freedom to be who God has made you to be.
Response/Prayer:
Jesus, help me to have a realistic view of myself that’s rooted in what Your Word says about me. I ask that you would use that knowledge to empower me to live with freedom. Help me to use my freedom to love, encourage, and build up others so that Your Kingdom may live in and through me. Amen
