For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
Galatians 5:13
If you have been called, you’ve been set aside and anointed for a particular task. God will empower or enable you to do what he said. The word liberty means freedom. These brethren are Jewish believers who are trying to direct new Christians into religious acts of Judaism: worshipping on a certain day, following certain constraints, and other customs. Paul says, “No, you’ve been called unto freedom.”
In order to know what God’s Word says, you need to read all of Scripture. There’s not just a certain day you have to worship or certain kind of clothing you need to wear. Men make those rules. Men are always attempting to add something to God’s Word, to make you bend the way they want. Scripture says that you’ve been called to freedom, but you are not to use that freedom for an “occasion to the flesh,” a starting point to do anything your flesh wants.
Notice the second part of Galatians 5:13: but by love serve one another. The basis of purity is love, and the basis of purity is service. Why? You keep yourself pure because you love God, and you keep yourself pure because you don’t want to offend your brother. Thus, love is the basis for purity, and service flows from that love.
Prayer for Today
Father,
I magnify your name for calling me to freedom! I praise you for a life-changing relationship with the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
