For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. Galatians 5:13-15
Throughout history, man’s innate desire for freedom has driven countless wars between nations. The Bible says only Christians are truly free. Freedom is a divine gift from God, given to those He chooses to save. However, like the Galatians, many Christians do not know how to apply their freedom biblically. From this portion of Scripture, Apostle Paul provides four tests by which you can examine whether you are properly enjoying your freedom from God.
A conviction of your freedom. You must have a fundamental understanding and conviction of your freedom in the Lord. According to v. 13, you have been called by God. Our freedom is a divine gift- it is our salvation. God has predestined us out of many others to be saved, and He has called us to a purpose- to deliver to the lost this heavenly freedom. (Matt 4:18, Rom 8:28-29, Eph 2:10)
Freedom is the practical side of salvation. We can only feel the significance of this freedom as we understand how amazing God’s salvation for us is. The wages of sin is death- God cursed Satan because of sin, and man likewise deserved God’s judgment for sin. But instead, God has given us the free gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Gen 3:18-19, Gal 5:1) What a freedom! We need this conviction to fight against the very things that threaten our freedom in Christ. Our flesh is the constant enemy- our old nature is inclined to sin, and Paul urges us to give no opportunity to the flesh. Armed with the conviction that God has chosen you for freedom, guard your heart against the power of indwelling sin. (Jn 3:6)
Resistance against flesh. The second test of freedom is our battle against sin. Christian freedom is freedom from sin, not a freedom to sin. God has freed us from the enslavement of Satan, sin, and flesh. How can you know you are resisting the flesh?
– Do you obey God’s will? If you are not obeying God’s Will found in the Word, you are obeying something else. As you follow the will of God, you will consequently resist the flesh. (Rom 12:2)
– Do you use the means of grace? It is by God’s Word and by prayer that we fight for holiness. (1 Tim 4:5, James 5:13)
– Do you resist Satan? God’s Word equips us with everything we need to resist Satan. (James 4:7, Eph 6:13)
– Do you confess your sin? God has made us to be self-conscious of sin- we now know our sin, and are able to repent. (1 Jn 1:9) He has placed in us a love for Him, the church, and fellowship.
– Do you focus on Christ? Does Christ fill your heart? As we continually resist the flesh, we become more like Christ. (2 Cor 4:16)
Practicing love. This is the most important test of freedom. We are free not only to be holy, but we are free to love. Jesus had total freedom, but He limited Himself and died on the cross in our place to show His love for us. He gave us His freedom. If our love does not reflect Jesus’ humility and sacrifice, then our freedom is not of Him. (Phil 2:3-4;6-8, Heb 2:9)
Church unity. Unity is a measure of healthy freedom. The church is one body under the lordship of Jesus. We have been freed not by keeping the law, but we have been freed by Christ for good works, and it is by love we can now fulfill the law in the Lord. (Gal 5:14) By the gospel, we love God, and the Holy Spirit bears the fruit of love in us. Unity is sequential to love, for church unity can not exist apart from love. Let us take care to maintain harmony within the church through the gospel- if we fail to love the Lord, we will fail to love one another.
As we examine ourselves through these four tests of freedom, let us recognize and repent of all that holds us from enjoying the freedom we have in Jesus. It was for freedom Christ has set us free; therefore let us stand firm against all yokes of slavery. (Gal 5:1) In Christ, God has given us this heavenly freedom to have full satisfaction, joy, and glory in Him.
BIBLE COMMUNITY CHURCH 
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