Freedom
The freedom we receive
through Christ’s work on the cross, and his resurrection, does NOT mean that we
can live however we like. Quite the opposite. There is great purpose to be
found in our freedom. We have freedom, because guilt, shame, and the baggage
collected through an old life, has been removed. Living however we like … is actually what we are being saved FROM (NOT to)! Living in freedom is about living with
purpose … uninhibited by the chains of sin and negativity. Living in freedom is
also about being released from limitations … into the positive space of
expressing the will of God.
Freedom Expressed Through Slavery
The process of experiencing
grace and receiving salvation, actually, strange as it may seem, moves us from
one form of slavery to another form of slavery. Yet – very different forms of
slavery. We are leaving behind a self-centred slavery to sin … and taking up a
selfless ‘slavery’ … toward the great ideal of community. The fact that Paul
uses a word and a concept … like “slave” – that would normally be seen so
negatively … is striking! This certainly gives plenty of depth to our
understanding of the nature of spiritual service. That same word … “doulos –
slave”, that same state of being, which is inescapably demanded of that person
unjustly enslaved to another, is now used to describe a volunteer action
(toward another person)!
We are left to conclude that
service for God … is NOT so voluntary after all, but rather a normal and needed
response to love, grace and spiritual freedom! In the novel ‘The Robe’, the
Greek slave Demetrious has given such faithful and sacrificial service to his
master Marcellus … that Demetrious is offered his freedom. Demetrious also had
other opportunities of escape, and though tempted, refused to take them. When
offered freedom from slavery by his master on this particular occasion,
Demetrious refuses, because he has become so connected and committed to protecting the well-being of Marcellus, he cannot imagine leaving his post.
Because of the grace being
unleashed in our lives, and the process of salvation we are on – we are NO
longer ‘slaves to sin’ (which beings death), NOR ‘slaves to ritualistic law
codes’ (which brings disappointment and defeat), but rather, we are … ‘slaves
to each other’ (which can bring a deep sense of meaning and joy). And, in fact,
this was where the ‘law’ actually pointed all the time. This was how God
always intended us to live, before we were deceived into individualism,
consumerism, and avoiding the central dynamic of the way in which God created
the world – which is … relational community!
Through love, we become
slaves to one another (verse 13b). The NIV more freely translates, “serve one
another in love”. This statement was being directly put to the churches in
Galatia in the first century, where there were various divisions, especially
down racial and cultural lines. Jewish and Gentile converts to Christianity
were very different people: the Jews from a ‘law-based’ religion, where
certain practices (around circumcision, food and the Sabbath) were heavily
entrenched, while Gentiles were coming to know Jesus from a wide variety of
backgrounds. Rather than fighting over small things, it was time to simply
“serve one another in love”. For salvation through Jesus brings such a
commonality, which should NOT be compromised by things that count for little.
Service
There are many ways in which
we can serve each other. Encouragement, teaching, practical support, prayer,
use of spiritual gifts, etc, etc. Yet, our service to God, and to one another,
does NOT stop there. This is the starting point for a practical expression of
love that knows NO bounds! Wherever we look in the Bible, we see this repeating
message. You know what I’m talking about!! It starts early in the Old Testament
(e.g. Leviticus 19:18), it is echoed in the prophets, it is highly promoted by
Jesus, and it is repeated by James and by Paul. What am I talking about?? “You
shall love your neighbour as yourself” (verse 14). This sums up everything that
God wants to say. This is how we express our freedom, our salvation, and our
discipleship!
Serving one another, the
community, and the needs of the world … that is our calling. For Paul and Jesus
to say that the “whole [Jewish] law [code]” is summed up in one commandment is
actually staggering. For the “whole law” covered every phase of human life –
such broad-ranging areas as food, clothing, housing, health practices,
politics, economics, family and worship. The “whole law” was applied to
everything that happened within the Jewish community from birth to death. And
here … it is being summed up in just a few short words … “love your neighbour”!
If we truly have this mindset, then we have certainly covered off the ‘big
ten’!!
If we ignore this – wherever
this is ignored – well, we see quite regularly where that leads. We look aghast
at the violence, evil and tragedy in the world. People turn on each other
because they want what others have, and don’t care what the damage caused feels
like. We see this expressed in verse 15. We have often witnessed a loss of
empathy, leading to callous disregard of others, especially those who are
different. Sometimes these things touch us personally. What can we do? Throw
our hands in the air? Build bigger prisons? Let resentment build? The simple
answer is … to live in a different way … to express freedom in service … to
live in the ‘Jesus loving your neighbour’ way … to be part of the solution!
This is what Paul’s letter to the Galatians is all about – living out our
freedom in a world-changing way.
Serving Through Sacrifice
To serve, in the Jesus-way,
means to embrace sacrifice. This means seeing beyond our own needs to the needs
of others. We might be content with our comfortable status-quo, or even be
seeking it, but following Jesus means breaking away from that, and seeing life
a whole lot more broadly. Another’s pain … is my pain too! To serve … means
letting go of our desire and need to be served, in preference for seeing our
purpose in serving others. Jesus laid aside all his majesty and humbled himself
to accept death on a cross (Philippians 2). Jesus, during his earthly ministry,
said these words – “For the Son of man came NOT to be served, but to serve, and
to give his life [as] a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
We will serve each other
well, as we are prepared to listen, encourage, pray for, and practically
support one another. We will serve our community well, if we observe, participate,
listen, encourage and provide practical support wherever possible. We will also
serve our community well, by living in a way that points to Jesus. Let us
identify ways through which we can bless those in our networks of connection.
What do our neighbours need? Let’s thank the traders and the tradies for their
service. We can serve the people of the world well, by standing against any
forms of injustice, racism and oppression … that demean humanity and God’s
creation.
Service Through Hospitality
We will also serve our community
well, by being prepared to step out in faith, offer hospitality, and also offer
invitations to come within God’s people – where they may just find ultimate
enlightenment. Where the presence of the Holy Spirit of God resides, there is a
witness to the strong possibility of neighbourly love. Andy Stanley wrote about
his church, “If you’ve got questions about faith, the Bible, Jesus, maybe even
the existence of God – you need to know [that] we built this place for you”.
Not for us … for you! And, a serving mindset, does NOT judge nor ridicule, but
rather welcome and offer hospitality … in grace and mercy.
If people, generally outside
the church, hear and see that we have built a new worship centre – what might
they make of that? That we are active, or that God is real!? Hopefully yes! But
more importantly, it will be our credible serving that will lead to greater interest
still! This may be a place where people do feel free to try a few small steps
of faith. Brian Houston (rather prophetically) said, “I see a church that
beckons ‘welcome home’ … to every man, woman and child that walks through the
doors”. Yet, this can only be real, if God’s love for us, and our love for God,
turns into a serious love for our neighbour … in terms of a serving lifestyle!
Conclusion
“Through love become servants
of one another”. This doesn’t mean that half serve and the other half receive!
This DOES means that ALL serve, while at the same time, ALL receive service. My
strength touches your weakness – your strength touches my weakness. This builds
a community of mutual service. Sounds idealistic – well, at least it’s
biblical; and thus very worthy of our best attempts. And we will find, as we
reach out in service, we will increasingly have the power of the Holy Spirit …
hovering around us, to help us, and make us effective in building real
relational community. Amen!
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