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Scripture Reading : Galatians 5:13

For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

A Christian is free; one who is of the world is a slave. The first part of Galatians 5 especially mentions freedom from the ceremonial law. It speaks particularly of circumcision as no longer being necessary. The ceremonial law with all its ritualism was certainly a load to bear and we should be thankful to be free from it. We are also freed from sin, Satan, the world, and the fear of death and hell. "Therefore if the son makes you free, you shall be free indeed" (John 8:36). The dictionary speaks of liberty as freedom from restraint.

Not free to sin

While there is great liberty in some places on earth, that does not mean that we are free to do as we please. Many people are confined behind bars because they did things to please themselves that the law said not to do. In like manner, a Christian has great liberty in Christ, but that does not mean liberty to walk in the ways of sin. We are freed from sin, yet free to sin. Let us remember that self-indulgence soon leads to slavery. In John 8:34 our Lord speaks: "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave to sin."

The natural man is a slave illustration

The story is told of a man who had a habit of chewing tobacco. He had an old cuspidor in his home, right where someone walking by him could easily stumble over it. Sometimes he would miss it and hit the floor. He once missed and hit a friend’s shoe. The friend said, "Why don't you quite that dirty old habit?" He replied, "I did quit for three years, but there never was a day during that time when I did not want a chew. One night I dreamed I was in the woods during a snow storm and was sitting on a log resting. All around me there was a ring of tobacco in the snow. When I awoke in the morning, I just had to have a chew." The fellow was undoubtedly a slave to chewing tobacco. This example helps us picture how the natural man is a slave to sin, some to one kind and some to another, but all unable to extricate themselves. Thank God, our Lord Jesus can break every fetter.

Liberty not an occasion to the flesh

It is sad, but true, a few Christians use their Christian liberty as an excuse for indulging in fleshly lusts. Reading 2 Peter 2, one notices that the wicked teachers mentioned used their Christian liberty as an excuse for wicked living. Some do the same today. One brother whose speech and life were not what they should be excused it by saying, “What's the difference, we are not under the law, but under grace.” He did not understand that liberty does not mean license.

Examples of liberty and indulgence—three dogs

Liberty and indulgence can be illustrated by three types of dogs. Dog number one is well-behaved because he is chained and therefore could not misbehave. Dog number two had his liberty but did not behave well. Dog number three had his liberty yet is well-behaved. Dog number one is likened to a Christian who is well-behaved out of fear and bondage to the law. The second is likened to one who realizes his liberty but abuses it by poor behavior. The third is likened to a Christian who realizes his liberty and knows that he is not under bondage to the law yet behaves very well. Hopefully, we will desire to be like the last dog—free but pure.

Liberty abused—a dog story

The story is told of a young boy who came home with a little puppy. At first, his mother and father let the puppy stay in the garage, but once grown, the dog had to be tried in the backyard. This was one animal that hated bondage. He howled and pulled and would bite. He would break the rope, or pull out of his collar. Finally it was decided to give him his liberty. He ruined some of the bushes in the backyard. He jumped over the fence, killing the flowers in the neighbor's backyard. He followed the young boy to his elementary school, and sneaked in and ran up and down the halls until the teachers were frantic. The children could not play with him because he was too big and rough. He could take them by the pant leg, swing them around, and send them rolling. The young boy and his dad were both trying to figure out what to do with this unruly dog, when one day he failed to come home and was never seen again. Everyone was relieved, and no one was sad that he was gone. We pray that none of us abuse our liberty in such a fashion. If we do, watch out, because our Father is sure to do something about it.

Through love serve one another

Christian liberty in no way countenances sin, and it should never be allowed to make a breach in our love to and for one another. The latter part of our verse (Gal. 5:13) says, "But through love serve one another." The word "serve" here should be much stronger. It is in contrast to liberty, and means "to be enslaved to one another." Peter uses the same contrast between liberty and service in 1 Peter 2:16, only there it is in bondage to God. The Gospel does not liberate us to a life of laziness or self-indulgence, but frees us from these things, so that we may live a life of unceasing service to God and Christians. We are free as to legalism, but bound as to love. Verse 15 indicates that the Galatians were not showing this spirit of love, but were biting and devouring one another.