Bethany Bullet - July 15, 2010

Galatians 5:13

Still on the heels of Independence Day, July 4th, we can’t help but bask in the freedoms we Americans enjoy. Our freedoms possess both an OF and FROM aspect.

As Americans, we have freedom OF assembly, speech, and religion to name a few. America was founded with the aim of being free FROM the tyranny of a king or oligarchy, “Ours is to be a government by the people, of the people and for the people.”

Both kinds of freedom are also core to the Christian experience. Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, has described our freedom FROM the guilt of sin, the threats of the devil, and the anguish of the grave. He has also reminded us that we possess the freedom OF God’s children - that is we have direct access to God, we can approach Him in worship and prayer and all He has is truly ours as we are heirs of God.

In the 5th chapter of Galatians, Paul describes the other freedom that is ours as Christians - we are free FOR (if you prefer you could say free TO). We are free FOR service to others, free FOR giving & sharing, proclaiming & caring, and free FOR a life of discipleship.

Unfortunately, we Americans have often misunderstood and misused our freedoms; “I can do whatever I want, it’s a free country.” Sound familiar? Let it not be so among us, we are citizens of the heavenly country as well.

“Do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature

(That is to do “whatever you want.”)

but rather, serve one another in love.”
(That is, you’ve been freed FOR service to others not selfishness.)

-Pastor Kevin Kritzer