Freedom

Devotion by Pastor Richard

Last Sunday’s sermon by De Hillyer on July 3 on the topic of freedom in Christ must lead us to responsibility has gotten me to thinking lately about the freedom we have as citizens of the United States and how far we have gotten away from our responsibilities as citizens and as Christ followers. So, I opened up my Bible to the book of Galatians and really resonated with what Paul says in chapter 5, verse 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.” So technically if we are free in Christ, we are not free to do as we well please, and look out after our own desires and wants, but we are free to serve in love! How could life be different for all of us if we took this approach in our politics, in living in our neighborhoods, and even working together in our own church? I feel that most of us do not live in freedom, but live in fear and greed, which drives us to division and hate of those not like us or those who disagree with us. 

In our own United Methodism, there is great division. When I was in seminary there was great division in the Southern Baptist Convention. To me both are very similar in nature. Groups within the Christian church are fighting for control and power over things that should truly be left to the judgement of God and not people. If we truly followed the freedom that Paul talks about, our concerns should fall on “serving one another in love,” period. We should not be seeking power or control, but serving. Power and control over another person leads directly to oppression, which is the opposite of the freedom found in Christ. Just ask any woman that was called to serve as a minister in the SBC, or any female professors that served in the SBC Seminaries in the 1980’s and 1990’s.

Paul also quotes Jesus directly in the very next verse as a reminder of our role. Verse 14 says: “For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Does that not sound familiar?? It is Jesus’ own words from Matthew 22:39. Paul is telling us that if you aren’t doing whatever it is not out of love, then you are not living into the freedom that Jesus desires for us. 

When I pay attention to what is going on in our country these days, I am so saddened by those who call themselves Christians who have seemingly forgotten their freedom to love. What I see is their desire for power and control. So, let’s strive to be different. Let’s live into that true freedom that God is calling us. Let’s once again begin to seek what is best for our neighbor, not out of our own interest, but out of what Christ is most interested in, service and love.

You are free!

Pastor Richard