Freedom, it’s the celebration of independence here today in the United States. Freedom brings free will here on earth in ways that are beautiful but in other ways that are dangerous. The follower of Jesus does not abuse freedom like the one who chases after evil things does. We do not have to look very far to find abuses of freedom.
This verse in Galatians isn’t talking about the kind of freedom we celebrate today, but the freedom I have in Christ from sin. There’s no freedom greater than this kind! This verse precedes two powerful verses:
“14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.”
Freedom in Jesus Christ changes us and gives us a desire to love others, even the unlovable. This freedom propels us to serve God and one another, to value every human being regardless of any differences we can fathom or name. If we do not do this we are in danger of devouring and consuming one another. We are so divided and this grieves God. Thinking I’m more important than another goes against God’s principles. We can only live today as God wills us to and that is the most radical lifestyle one can choose!
Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was fueled by his Christian Faith, not political activism. Most politicians aren’t willing to lay down and die for a political agenda, but those who serve God stand for more than a political agenda. We are to be God’s representatives on this earth. This is not something we take lightly. We should not take this for granted! What am I doing with my freedom? Am I loving my neighbor as myself?
Jeni Martin Johnson 
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