Freedom

By: Zong Moua

Bible Passage: Galatians 5:13

“For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh,”

Summary

“Freedom!” were the final words of Sir William Wallace before being beheaded in the movie Braveheart. Although the true story of Sir Wallace doesn’t record him saying this before his execution, this addition has become an inspirational meme for those needing to vent for freedom.

We all want freedom. We cry “freedom!” even though we are physically free. But why is it that we still feel the need to cry “freedom!” sometimes? It’s because, whether “Christian” or not, we still may be under the bondage of the law of God, which is written in our hearts (Romans 2:15). The law tells us that we’re sinners (Roman 7:7) and is constantly reminding us of our need to justify ourselves. And so, we turn to external justification.

This was the main issue that occurred in the Galatian churches: external justification to receive salvation. The Galatians were being deceived by the Judaizers to add the Mosaic law to their Christian conversion. It was Christ plus the old ways of Judaism. And yet, there’s nothing new under the sun. Today, we have our own law of life. We live in a cycle of sin remediated by a cycle of work. We create systems, cultures, traditions to work out our salvation. The Bible refers to this as being slaves to the law, justification by legalism.

All of us falls into this cycle of work. If so, then can one truly be free? Yes, but only through someone else’s work, a perfect work. It is through Christ that you’ve died to your work, and have gone through His work, and risen with Him to a new life. The new life implies a life without concern for our traditions, cultures, and the criticism that comes from our network of people. The bondage of pleasing men has become the bondage of pleasing God (Romans 6:18).

God calls us to freedom and to not turn our freedom into an opportunity for the flesh (Galatians 5:13). Our freedom in Christ functions out of the new mind in Christ, not the old life which was under bondage in the first place. Living in the Spirit means not living in the flesh, which implies that anything we used to do that had nothing to do with the glory of God must be put away, else we’d still be living in the flesh, the old self. And that’s not freedom.

To be truly free is to let go of all the work it takes to please everyone (including yourself) and to trust in the God of the universe who wants you to know His will and to glorify Him through your works. Learn to understand the freedoms that we have in Christ; this truth will truly set you free (John 8:32).  

Reflect

What are some things you are still doing that is giving opportunity for the flesh?

Are you truly free in Christ or do you feel like you must please others?

Pray

Father, you give us your Son as a ransom for us – to truly set us free from our sins and our bondage to sin. Help us to know Him more so we can truly be set free. If we are man-pleasers, help us to repent and desire to only please you. Amen.