Ahoy to all my friends out in cyberspace. I'm happy to share a moment with you via your phone/ipad/computer or otherwise and exchange some relevant takeaways.
Continuing our journey through the Book of Galatians, Chapter 5 provides an extremely rich text centered on the theme of Freedom. Paul asserts that we have already achieved true Freedom thanks to Christ. However, he goes on to illustrate that we regularly yield this gifted Freedom to pursue base desires and in doing so complicate our lives and permanently decrease our capacity for Freedom. We ultimately come to understand that true Freedom is not the absence of rules, order or consequence, but a free and clear mind, which springs from an unencumbered life.
Paul begins the chapter with the simple statement that we have been set free and should avoid relinquishing our Freedom.
“Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you.”
The slavery Paul refers to here is slavery to sin. Paul's point is that when we sin, we surrender a portion of our freedom and control. It becomes a matter of 'animal instinct' and leaves us disconnected and empty following the act. The great illusion is that throughout we have been conditioned to believe we are in control and consciously making our own choices, when in reality we have ceded a portion of our control and peace. Paul continues to explain that our society's concept of real freedom, submitting to whatever whim without consequence, is flawed:
“It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows.”
What then is this Freedom Paul is getting at? I would submit that Freedom is the absence of self-added encumberments in you life and peace for your mind and spirit. For when we stray from these timeless truths our lives become exponentially more complicated. Think on the last time you err'd and how it affected you. Undoubtedly it added unnecessary stress to your life, likely strained your relationships, and probably left you ashamed that weren't the person you had aspired to become. We surrender our life of peace and freedom for a momentary pleasure, out of ignorance, or arrogance. While we can absolutely rebound and return to course, these stumblings often leave some permanent consequence, whether mental or physical, that now decrease our Freedom. For the guidance God provides us is not to limit our fun or life experiences, but to keep us free to fully pursue our unique talents and in doing so honor him.
With this understanding of Freedom, Paul rightly encourages us to comb through our lives and ensure we have applied this principal throughout. He also offers an excellent mindset for us to approach life with:
“Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.”
I love his statement here: Let's not just leave this as a good thought but ensure it comes to fruition in our lives (I know this is the case in my own life more often than I'd care to admit.) So how do we ensure this isn't just left as a concept and the full effects are manifested? 1. Accept that we have been provided true Freedom from Christ, 2. Understand that Freedom is not submitting to whim but living life intentionally, and 3. Press this understanding into action by scouring personal actions for inconsistencies that are limiting said Freedom. If we can iterate on this process there is no doubt that we can experience the Freedom Paul describes and be left with a free mind and spirit. As Paul exhorts us to remember: we are originals and should live as such!
Have a great week friends and as always I welcome your questions and comments! Please share this blog with a friend and follow us on Twitter.
-the contrary disciple