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. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall
love your neighbor as yourself.”
-Galatians 5:13-14
According to Webster’s New World Dictionary, liberty is the freedom from slavery, captivity, etc. Here in the United States of America, most of us would not deny our freedom. We are free to say what we want to whomever we want, no matter who we might hurt in the process. We are free to carry weapons or to bare arms; we only need a permit...if we want to do it legally. We are free to watch television, play video games, eat, drink, dance, complain, sleep, and smoke as much as we want. We are free to worship the almighty dollar, the latest and greatest talk show host, professional athletes, the “stars”, and ourselves. We are free to spend our time, our money, and our talents as we choose. Yes, many would say that we in America are free.
The truth is that this is not freedom. So many Americans are not free at all but are living in bondage, slaves to the desires of the flesh. Paul warns that we are not to use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, yet that is exactly what liberty has become in this country...an opportunity for the flesh. Paul also reminds us that through love we are to serve one another and love our neighbor as ourselves. Yet, most of us get caught up in looking out for, what we deem, “#1” (A.K.A. our self). It is totally against our human nature to love anyone as our self, to serve anyone but our self and often when we try to love others and serve others just because we think it is what we should do...leaving us unfulfilled, resentful and wondering “when is it going to be my turn.” I know I have been here, in fact most of my life was spent in this place wondering, “when will it by my turn, when will I have what I want, when will someone do for me for a change.” You see, until we turn our life over to the Lord, we cannot truly serve one another nor can we truly love one another. If the Lord is not in it, then it ultimately comes down to serving the flesh and we are still in bondage. Without God, we cannot break the chains that bind us in this world to be truly free, to experience liberty.
We, here in America, have also been given a tremendous liberty in that we can choose to turn our life over to the Lord, we can choose to openly worship Him above all else and we can choose to serve Him first and always. Then, and only then, will we truly be free. Then, and only then, will we be able to experience and share true love with our neighbor. Then, and only then, will we be able to truly serve one another as Jesus did, in love and without bitterness or resentment. Yes, we have been called to liberty; the question is...will we answer the call?
The truth is that this is not freedom. So many Americans are not free at all but are living in bondage, slaves to the desires of the flesh. Paul warns that we are not to use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, yet that is exactly what liberty has become in this country...an opportunity for the flesh. Paul also reminds us that through love we are to serve one another and love our neighbor as ourselves. Yet, most of us get caught up in looking out for, what we deem, “#1” (A.K.A. our self). It is totally against our human nature to love anyone as our self, to serve anyone but our self and often when we try to love others and serve others just because we think it is what we should do...leaving us unfulfilled, resentful and wondering “when is it going to be my turn.” I know I have been here, in fact most of my life was spent in this place wondering, “when will it by my turn, when will I have what I want, when will someone do for me for a change.” You see, until we turn our life over to the Lord, we cannot truly serve one another nor can we truly love one another. If the Lord is not in it, then it ultimately comes down to serving the flesh and we are still in bondage. Without God, we cannot break the chains that bind us in this world to be truly free, to experience liberty.
We, here in America, have also been given a tremendous liberty in that we can choose to turn our life over to the Lord, we can choose to openly worship Him above all else and we can choose to serve Him first and always. Then, and only then, will we truly be free. Then, and only then, will we be able to experience and share true love with our neighbor. Then, and only then, will we be able to truly serve one another as Jesus did, in love and without bitterness or resentment. Yes, we have been called to liberty; the question is...will we answer the call?
COACH'S CALL TO ACTION
- How have you allowed liberty to become an opportunity for your flesh?
- This Independence Day, before all the parties and celebrations, won’t you join me in taking some quiet time with the Lord?
§ Thank Him for the liberty only He can give.
§ Surrender that which you have been unwilling, until now, to turn over to the Lord.
§ Be still, just sitting in His presence and listen for the words He speaks to you.
Copyright © 2008-2009 Radiant Sun Life Coaching. All rights reserved.
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