August 27, 2025

FREEDOM EXPRESSED THROUGH LOVE

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“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. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.”

 Galatians 5:13-15 NLT

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TODAY’S THOUGHT

Believers are “called to live in freedom.” What does that freedom look like?

1. We are free from the consequences of sin

On the cross, Jesus paid the price in full. He took our punishment so we wouldn’t have to.

I was at lunch with a friend yesterday. When the check came, I told the waiter to put both meals on one bill. I paid for both. Imagine if the waiter still handed my friend a separate bill—that would be ridiculous! The cost was already covered. That’s exactly what Jesus has done for us—He paid it all. There’s no bill left for us to pay.

2. We are free from the control of sin

When we put our faith in Christ, the Holy Spirit comes to live inside us. Before Christ, we lived under the rule of our selfish, sinful nature. But now, God’s Spirit empowers us to walk in newness of life. Sin is no longer the master—we are no longer slaves to it.

3. We are free from the condemnation of sin

Grace means we don’t spend the rest of our lives trying to make up for our past. If Jesus paid it all, then we cannot pay more. God’s forgiveness is complete. Scripture says He has removed our sins “as far as the east is from the west” and thrown them into the sea of forgetfulness.

But with freedom comes a warning: “Don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature.”

There will always be people who twist liberty into license, excusing sin by saying, “I’m free.” But biblical freedom doesn’t mean living however we want—it means living as we should. Paul reminds us that Christian liberty is not permission to sin, but an opportunity to love and serve.

That’s why he quotes Leviticus 19:18: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

When we focus on rules and law-keeping, people begin to compare, compete, and condemn. Churches and denominations have even split over outward appearances and behaviors. Those arguments rarely reflect love—and they certainly don’t draw outsiders toward Christ.

So, Paul challenges us: Don’t let your freedom drift into law on one side or license on the other. Instead, let your freedom express itself through love.

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TODAY’S PRAYER

Holy Spirit, help me to love my neighbor and serve others. Thank You that I am free from sin’s consequences, control, and condemnation. Help me live in Your freedom and reflect Your love. Amen

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