“My friends, you were chosen to be free. So don't use your freedom as an excuse to do anything you want. Use it as an opportunity to serve each other with love.”
— Galatians 5:13 (CEV)
This Bible translation seems closest to the meaning of the most often used word, “opportunity”. Other Bible translations say don’t use your freedom as an opportunity, occasion, or incentive to indulge in/satisfy your flesh.
After looking at the Greek word Paul used in this verse, it seems the verse should read like this. “Don’t use your freedom from slavery to sin, which is gained through believing in and being saved by Christ, as a reason or excuse to indulge your sinful human desires. Instead use your sacrificially bought freedom as the opportunity to serve each other.”
The freedom about which Paul wrote is freedom from our past sins that held us powerless against future temptation and condemned us to eternal separation from God. This freedom, bought through Jesus’ sinless sacrifice on the cross, gives anyone who believes in Him the power of His Holy Spirit, who dwells in each believer, to overcome the temptation and not to sin. This freedom comes from the power of God, who lives in us through the Holy Spirit.
We have the power, if we accept it from the Spirit, not to sin (indulge our human desires) and only care for our wants. Instead, we can care for other people. When we indulge our human desires and sin, we turn our back on God, and that often means we’ve harmed at least one person overtly and/or covertly. Sinning hurts God, other people, and, often, oneself.
Instead of relying on our own power and then sinning, rely on the Spirit’s power, avoid sin and love other people. By doing this, you love God, too.
