A slave who was freed voluntarily becomes a slave again. Does that make sense to you? I’m having a hard time envisioning that happening in the slaveries of today. Because once you’ve escaped and been rescued from slavery, you don’t want to return. Unless …
Pay attention to the words freedom and serve in this verse – Galatians 5:13
“For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
A Christian has been called to freedom in Jesus Christ. You who once were slaves to sin are no longer slaves. You have believed in Jesus Christ, that He is the Son of God. You have trusted Him to pay the penalty and punishment for your sins through His death and resurrection. You are no longer a slave, but a child of God!
But this freedom you now have as a child of God does not mean you can do whatever you want. Your freedom is not an opportunity for the flesh. You are free in Christ. But, the expectation is that as children of God, you would show the spiritual DNA of your heavenly Father in how you live.
So, with your freedom in Christ, through love serve one another. Or through love, be a slave to one another.
Children of God show that they are children of God in their love for others. Not just for nice people; or people who look, and talk, and act like us. Or for whoever we want to pick. Just as God’s love was for the entire world, rich and poor, good and evil, so also is the love of God in His children for all.
To love others in this way means sacrifice. It means you voluntarily give up your freedom and rights for the benefit of someone else, even just one person. How is that possible? Because you are a child of God. Salvation is freedom from the slavery of sin to be, if you will, a slave filled and motivated by God’s love for each person.