Liberty through Love

Galatians 2:4 (KJV)
“our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus”

Paul writes to the churches of Galatia approximately 14-17 years after being converted from Judaism to Christianity. His conversion is noted in Acts on the road to Damascus but is also mentioned here. In this letter, he starts out by giving glory to the Lord who was raised from the dead by giving up himself for man’s sins which deliver us from the evil that is present in the world.

He continues that he is amazed (marvel) they are actually being taught or following a different gospel than the true Word of God. These teachings bring them into bondage not with the liberty we have in Jesus Christ. Peter preached to the Jews (circumcised) and Paul preached to the Gentiles (uncircumcised). Paul had to confront Peter because he used to eat with the Gentiles, but things changed when others came who were Jews and feared what they might think. He asks Peter if front of everyone there about being a Jew and a Gentile.

Paul goes onto to write that Jesus redeemed us from the curse of the Law and that the blessing of Abraham could be made known to the Gentiles be receiving the promise of the Spirit through our faith in Jesus and not by the law. Galatians 3 and 4 go in depth on what Christ is to both Jews and Gentiles and the law is no more profitable to any man.

Before we get into liberty, Paul makes a bold statement, whether you are circumcised or not does not matter to Christ, it is about liberty through love. If you believe in circumcision under the law, you are not under grace of Jesus Christ but need to obey the whole law. Jesus Christ fulfilled the law, either you are in Christ or justify your life through the law. The Law was fulfilled by one word: Liberty. Liberty through Love.

Paul gives two examples of living a Christian life in Galatians 5:22-23 or in the world apart from Christ in the works of your own flesh in Galatians 5:19-21. It is easy to see if a Christian is living in liberty through love of the fruits of the spirit or in the works of the flesh. Christians have put the affections and lusts on the cross to be crucified with Christ in order to live and walk in the Spirit of truth of Jesus Christ.

The last verse in chapter 5 of Galatians can tell us a lot about a person especially in today’s environment. Those who desire fame and recognition (vain glory), those who provoke others, and those that are envious of others.

Before we move onto the last chapter (6), it is time to look at Liberty and then tie it back into Chapter 6. The word Liberty appears 27 times in the Holy Bible. In comparison, the word freedom only appears twice. I hear Christians say we have freedom but in truth we have Liberty. Freedom means singular or one person’s ability to believe or in the worst case be vain about it. Liberty is about others and yourself together for the good of mankind through Christ.

Paul writes a powerful statement in Galatians 5:13-14 so let me paraphrase it. We as Christians have been called unto liberty in Christ Jesus to serve others in love. Jesus Christ died on the cross for Jews and Gentiles to live as Christians in love for Christ, yourself and your neighbor. Who is our neighbor? Paul writes in Galatians 6 we need to do good to all mankind but especially to other Christians (Jews, Gentiles).

How do you love your neighbor? Paul writes in Galatians 6:1-10 starting with we are to first be meek and if someone else is not, help them out. Help them to become meek which means humbleness in submission to others. It is easy to recognize when someone is not meek, they think they are better or higher than others and is only deceiving themselves.

Second, what you sow is what you are returned. Sow good seeds, get good fruit back. Sow bad seeds, get bad fruit back. Sow to your flesh, you reap corruption. Sow to the Lord, you reap everlasting life.

Lastly, don’t stop doing good, sowing good, and being good to everyone who comes across your path. I always say every step, breath and second are for Christ and when someone enters our path, you can do good like a kind word, a helping hand, give them something, or restore them back to faith if they have fallen away. Paul’s letter to the Church of Galatia should be a reminder to all Christians, the world is full of evil, but it does not mean we turn on backs on a fallen world. It is easy to become weary in doing good (Galatians 6:9), God knows this which is why He says be ready for when you sow good seeds to others, you will receive rewards when the season is right. Don’t lose sight of the fact that live the fruits of the spirit every day and when the tomorrows come, be ready as they will come.

Everyone can become a Christian as it reads in Galatians 3: 22 “But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.” Believe in Jesus Christ by crucifying your past fleshly affections and lust. Once you do this, love God (God, Jesus, Spirit of God) with all your heart soul, mind and strength. Once you start to love God/Jesus, start to love yourself and your neighbor. Your life will change through the fruit of the Spirit by walking in the Spirit with every step, breath and second for Christ.