Draw Near – 365 Guides to Greater Intimacy with GodSample

FREEDOM'S RESPONSIBILITY

Freedom is fragile. When the Congo declared its freedom a few short years ago, riots ensued in which more than one-half million people were murdered. Some were so unaware of what freedom was that they brought boxes to political rallies to carry home their new "freedom." Freedom can be lost very easily. Jesus told of the prodigal son who fell into bondage because he did not know how to handle a lack of accountability.

Some freedoms spell failure, such as freedom from study, planning, work, discipline, and responsibility. Paul was careful to warn the young church to guard its newfound freedom in Christ. He saw that after being freed from the numberless laws of the Old Testament, one could use that freedom wrongly: 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 (Galatians 5:13).

In case any believer is confused about his newfound freedom, Paul outlined in Galatians 5 the fruit of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. If we hear and heed God's Word, we need not worry about abusing our freedom. Paul adds: If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:25).