Freedom #2—Loving Freedom

It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. … For you were called to freedom; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. Galatians 5:1, 13

Because we are children of God through faith in the Son, we are free, in that God will express his love for us for no other reason than the joy of extending such love—the ultimate kind of freedom. Christ frees from our estrangement from God so we can enjoy experiencing the fullness of his grace. This gracious love frees us from having a sense of entitlement, from the power of Satan, from fear of what others may do to us, and from the cultural restrictions of the Mosaic law. More importantly, being in the freedom of God’s love frees us to pursue the fullness of life. For example, a large and unexpected inheritance frees us to choose whatever lifestyle we desire. Similarly, when our doctor releases us from the confinement of our disease, we are free to live as healthy people live. As we trust God for the future grace promised and guaranteed in Jesus, we are free from the poverty of self-sufficiency and free to pursue the abundant life he makes available. The best way to enjoy this freedom is to avoid self-indulgence and to extend God’s grace to others in love. For this shows off the satisfying completeness of our freedom as joint heirs with Christ.

Gracious Redeemer, I still fight the inclination to grasp and to hoard, to worry and to hide. Help me to remember the freedom of your love so I can love as freely as you do. Amen.