“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.”
— Galatians 5:13
Paul wrote, “You, who have become my brothers and sisters because of your believing faith in Jesus, were called to be free” (paraphrase). God called you to Himself and removed the shackles of your old, sinful nature so you were not bound to be powerless against temptation and evil forces. He made you free by His power through Jesus’ sacrifice of Himself on the cross to pay the judgment price for your sins. You are free! You have God’s power available to you now to defeat temptation and evil by walking in step with the Holy Spirit who lives in you.
Since God called you to freedom and has freed you, don’t entangle yourself with your old desires and sins. Your freedom gives you the right and ability to have and live the best life—the perfect life God created you for. (God only gives good gifts)
What does that best life include? It includes the penultimate example of what Jesus showed you. Just as Jesus loves you and loved people while on earth (all who were/are not biologically His family), you, too, serve and humbly love others. For Jesus said, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39 and Galatians 5:14)” By doing this, you obey God and His commandments and show your love for Him with your heart, soul, mind, and strength (Matthew 22:37). Your serving is a willing submission (humility) of your right to yourself because of your love for God by obeying Him eternally.
Today, will you use the freedom you received from Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross to entangle yourself with your old desires? Or, will you use your freedom to humbly and gratefully love God by humbly serving your brothers and sisters in Christ?
