As we have studied the words
of Paul to the church members of Galatia, we have learned much about
the liberty from the law that the doctrine of grace provides. We also
have learned there are those who are opposed to this liberty, and we
have seen Paul's pointed reaction to them. However, what are the
Galatians supposed to do with this liberty once they know they have
it. Paul answers that question in chapter five and verse thirteen
where he wrote:
For, brethren, you have been called unto liberty;
only [use] not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love
serve one another.
Paul has just desired that
those who distort the gospel of Jesus Christ be “cut off”, and
now he directs his attention to giving reason and purpose to those
who are free. He begins, “For, brethren, you have been called
unto liberty;...” Let's note first that Paul points to a reason
he desires the false teachers be “cut off”. He employs the
word“For” which denotes “because” or “on account
of”, and then he calls the believers in Galatia “brethren”
again. He let's them know there is a certain freedom that is provided
by the doctrine of grace. Because the law was not able to be kept
because of the flaws in people, it was necessary for one to come to
fulfill that law so that all who believed in Him could be saved.
Jesus was and is that one. Now all who have given their lives to Him
have been “called unto liberty” from the keeping of the
law as a basis for salvation.
Paul goes on to say, “only
[use] not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one
another.” Paul knows that there are some who may decide to use
their liberty to fulfill fleshly desires. They might use phrases
like, “I am free from the law, so I can do whatever I want to do”,
and then they go on to indulge their flesh in whatever fleshly
appetite they possess. Paul directs them away from using grace to
fulfill their flesh. Rather he points them to the real purpose of
grace, “but by love serve one another.” The doctrine of
grace was to lead them to a life of service toward one another by
love. Because they were liberated from concentrating upon the keeping
of the law and being righteous because of it, the church members were
free to love one another, be gracious to one another, and serve one
another as a church body. In other words, their liberty had purpose,
and they were now free to serve others.
Do we understand that we
have been “called unto liberty”? Have we enjoyed the
freedom that is within the doctrine of grace? Have we used our
liberty to fulfill the desires of the flesh, or have we used our
liberty to serve others by love? Maybe our meditation today should be
to think over these questions and ask the Lord Jesus as we thank Him
for His grace to fulfill through us the service to others by love
that His liberty has provided. Let freedom ring within us as we use
our lives to serve others.
Next time we will see how all the law is fulfilled, so read ahead,
and let us join together then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look for
the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation
to Generation” in all major
bookstore
sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to
e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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