Galatians 5:13-14

For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Galatians 5:13-14

We are prone to go to extremes. One hears “liberty” and thinks “I can do whatever I want and God will forgive me.” Another sees the error in this and thinks “We must impose more rules.” The first extreme is a license to sin. The other extreme leads to legalism. We are called to liberty, free from sin and death, free from guilt and shame. But Paul issues a warning. Don’t fall into sin because of your liberty.

The danger is real, not because God’s grace will fail us, but because we fall short of the grace of God (Hebrews 12:15). So Paul gives this commandment, by love, serve one another. The key ingredient is “love.” When we add love to our liberty we are serving others. When we subtract love from our liberty, we serve only ourselves and we fall into sin. When we subtract love and liberty, we fall into legalism.

So with all that in mind, let us not ask “What can I get away with?” or “What new policy must we enforce?” but rather “Lord, how can I love others today that they may see Your love through me?”

With love and liberty,

Pastor Rod Harris