Freedom to 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 enslaved to one another. For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Galatians 5:12-14
Several years ago, my wife and I hired a dog trainer to teach our dog, Tuff, basic obedience. Tuff, a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, is a sweet but hyperactive hunting dog with a strong prey drive. As a young puppy, he was difficult to control. He had a penchant for bolting out the front door and hightailing it down the street, unheeding our desperate cries for him to return. So out of concern for our dog’s safety, we eagerly sought the help of a professional dog trainer.
And we were glad that we did. After several weeks of working with Tuff, we noticed a dramatic transformation. So much so, that we soon found that we could walk our dog in public off-leash. Now, Tuff listens attentively and quickly acquiesces to our commands. Ironically, since learning how to be obedient, our dog enjoys much more freedom than ever.
Freedom in the Christian life is sort of like this. The Biblical pattern is always the same. First, God redeems His people, which includes liberation from sin, and then God directs His people on how to live responsibly within this newfound freedom. It is important to note, though, that this freedom was never meant for self-centered purposes (e.g., “do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, Galatians 5:12). Rather, Christian freedom serves a greater purpose: love for and service to others.
The Presbyterian Minister, Peter Marshall, beautifully summarized the responsibility of Christian freedom in prayer. He prayed on the floor of the United States Senate, “Liberty is too precious a thing to be buried in books. It costs too much to be hoarded. Make us to see that our liberty is not the right to do as we please, but the opportunity to please to do what is right.”[1]
As you begin your day today, how might you use your freedom to do what is right? How can you use your freedom to love your neighbor? Using your freedom for the greater good may entail making yourself vulnerable; it may involve taking a risk, but using your freedom in this way fulfills God’s law and allows you to participate in God’s redemptive mission. God has liberated you for this purpose.
Now go and use your freedom to be the agent of change God has called you to be.
[1] “Prayers Offered by the Chaplain,” the Rev. Peter Marshall: The Senate of the United States, July 3, 1947.
