Freedom Through Love

Galatians 5:1,13–25

"For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."
— Galatians 5:1

There’s a kind of freedom that the world offers—freedom to do whatever we want, whenever we want. But the freedom that Christ offers us is deeper, richer, and more life-giving. It’s not freedom from responsibility, but freedom for love.

In Galatians 5, Paul reminds us that we are no longer bound by the Law as a means to earn our righteousness. Christ has already set us free. But that freedom is not a license for selfishness. Instead, we are invited to use our freedom to serve one another in love.

"For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another."
— Galatians 5:13

It sounds paradoxical—freedom and servanthood together—but it’s the paradox of grace. In loving others, we don’t lose our freedom; we live it. We step into the Spirit-filled life Paul describes in verses 22–23: lives marked by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are not burdens, but fruits—evidence that we are walking in step with the Spirit.

When we love, we fulfill the law in the most complete way. “Love is the whole of the law,” Paul says. This love isn't a vague feeling or fleeting sentiment. It’s intentional, sacrificial, and shaped by the cross of Christ. It looks like choosing kindness over retaliation, gentleness over anger, and faithfulness over convenience.

So today, let’s ask: how am I using my freedom?

Am I using it to build myself up—or to build up others? Am I bearing the fruit of the Spirit, or feeding the desires of the flesh?

The good news is that we are not left to do this alone. The Spirit walks with us, guides us, and empowers us to choose love again and again.

Prayer:
Gracious God, thank you for setting us free in Christ—not to live for ourselves, but to live for others. Help us to walk in step with your Spirit and to bear fruit that brings healing, hope, and love to the world around us. Teach us what it means to be truly free—free to love, free to serve, and free to become more like Jesus. Amen.

In God’s Grip,

Pastor Chuck Church