by Pastor Kevin Griffin
Scripture: Galatians 5:13-15
I remember the day my dad had to make the drive out to see his dad, my pop pop. Pop Pop was increasing in age and while his mind was sharp, his physical abilities were deteriorating rapidly. He did not see as well, didn’t have the best reaction time, his driving was becoming dangerous. Dad had to go out and tell him he needed to take his car keys from him, to protect him and other drivers. That was a brutal day, for my dad and also Pop Pop, he felt like all freedom had been taken from him.
What does it mean to be FREE, really free, what does that mean for me? I identify as a Christian and I live in America. No need for me to preach about what that means for others, but this is a day to reflect on how that impacts not just me, but others. Really what I’m asking you is the question I’m asking myself; do I use the freedoms that I enjoy for the benefit of only me?
The definition of FREE- is “no cost, no charge, having the legal/political rights of a citizen, independence, not controlled, relieved from something like a burden, not bound or detained by force” There is a lot there to digest when we ponder what it means to be free. There are verses which many of us have heard regarding freedom and being free, but I was challenged this week by these words Galatians. Paul was addressing this group who were quarrelling over the law. 13 “For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. 14 For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[c] 15 But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.”
With great freedom comes great responsibility and sometimes I forget what a blessing it is to be free. Do I use every freedom I have, to serve God and others? I do it sometimes, but not nearly enough. I have free will, free parking (most places), free speech, freedom to choose where to worship. I have another huge freedom, the freedom to live a life free from the bondage of sin. Humanly impossible, but by the power of the Holy Spirit, I am free. This country with all of our issues and divisions, our problems and wounds, is still an amazing place. We really do have freedoms that the rest of the world does not have, I’m grateful for those who gave their lives so that we could be free. I’m grateful also for the ONE who gave his life so that ALL could be free.
“Lord Jesus, thank you for giving your life a ransom for me, and sending the Holy Spirit to enable us to live in freedom. “He breaks the power of cancelled sin, He sets the prisoner free, His blood can make the foulest clean, His blood availed for me. Thanks for leveraging all to set me free, help me Jesus to leverage all for you and others so that they might know you and be FREE.”