LEARNING DAILY

Galatians 5:13, For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Pastor Ed Newton, lead Pastor at Community Bible Church spoke on the fifth chapter of Galatians this weekend. The Bible speaks of believing in the finished work of Jesus and walking with Him on the narrow way is about freedom; it is being set free from the bondage of sin through faith.  “Jesus Christ came to destroy the works of the devil who came “only to steal and kill and destroy.” Before you were set free by the Lord Jesus, you were a slave to sin, living by rituals and a set of rules (the law), that no one could follow. Pastor Newton was clear that the law was only meant to reveal one’s sinfulness; it did not provide a way out of the problem(s). The solution was the sacrifice of a perfect animal. That was the solution until Jesus came and became the perfect salvation, once and for all, for all who would believe in Him.

Building on last weeks message from Galatians 4, Pastor said the Believer’s profession of faith in Jesus Christ gives them freedom – there is no need to try to live under the strict rules of the law, nor live under the deception of the devil who would love to keep you in slavery to sin. This also becomes the threat to Believers. Believers are not to use their freedom to sin. Paul’s warning to the Galatians is the warning for every Believer. You cannot think you can do whatever you want, whatever feels good, and give every opportunity for the flesh because we think sin no longer can cause you a problem. Focusing on yourself is really seeking your own glory. Stop living that way if you are! As a Believer, focus now on Jesus Christ and bring Him the glory He deserves. As a Believer you are no longer free to do whatever you want nor love who you want. No! Set your heart on things from above.

There is a war going on in every Believer’s heart. The devil is continually trying to do everything possible to get you from walking the narrow way. Just like he spoke to Eve in the garden, he is continually challenging each Believer with, “Did God really say …?” The Believer’s freedom, the Believer walking with the Holy Spirit each day on the narrow way is the only way to walk the way God demands the Believer to walk. You cannot do that on your own.

Let me close with an example I have written before. Some of you may not have seen this, and most of you will have forgotten it. It is relative to the point made by Pastor Newton.

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, “My son the battle is between two wolves inside us all. One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, lies, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, pride, superiority, and ego. The other is Good. It is love, peace, joy, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.”  The grandson thought about it for a minute, and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf wins?” The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed!”

As a Believer, you must be feeding the wolf named Good. Spend your time walking the narrow way as Christ desires. Read/study/meditate on God’s Word! Pray daily! “Do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh (The wolf called Evil)!” “Through love serve one another.”

“Christ sets us free, the spirit keeps us free, and love shows the world we are free” (Takeaway on the Listener Guide).