God’s Value for Freedom Part 2

The church has been hungry to see the blessing that the Scripture talks about. We were meant for freedom! But freedom is not just freedom from oppressive, negative things, but freedom to experience the good things God has for us. 

However, not all freedom is Godly freedom. We can also abuse freedom when we use it in ways that exploit others or ourselves. In this part of the series, we’ll dive into the practicalities of operating in true freedom and handling our freedom well. 

Last time, we discussed the laws we are under, ultimately boiling down to the law of Love, which brings true freedom. Let’s talk about where our freedoms can go amok. 

Galatians 5:13–8 in the New American Standard Bible (NASB) says:

13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[c] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. (emphasis added)

 So, when we talk about the “flesh,” we are talking about all our fallen ways of being that violate love. Please note that YOU are not your flesh. The fallen way of being of the flesh is really a false self that is not who you are. Galatians 5:19-21 lists the ways we selfishly abuse our freedoms. 

 19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, 20 idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. NASB

Now, I do not subscribe to the idea that not inheriting the kingdom of God is equivalent to “not being saved.” Who gets inheritances? The answer is true sons and daughters. The parts of us that are fallen are not even who we truly are. This is what constitutes our flesh. Our true selves are our original design in the image and likeness of God/Love (Gen. 1:26-27, 1 John 4:8 and 16). The flesh/fallen self are the parts of us that believe and act as if we are not truly God’s children. 

God doesn’t relate to our false selves. He relates to our true selves. As our true selves, we are beloved, favored, accepted, treasured sons and daughters of God (Eph. 1:3-14). Partaking of the inheritance that is truly ours as co-heirs with Christ is the birthright of every son and daughter of God. Romans 8:16-17 in the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) says:

16 it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs: heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if we in fact suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him (emphasis added)

So, note the first part: we are joint heirs with Christ. That means we as true sons and daughters inherit everything that Christ does! WOW!

The second part is not “the catch.” Suffering as Christ suffered is killing off the parts of us that want to violate love toward ourselves, God, and others. These parts want to do all the deeds of the flesh/fallen non-self. The flesh/sinfulness is not a nature but mindsets, strongholds, addictions, false identities, etc. The old self/old man/adamic nature was already crucified with Christ mystically 2000+ years ago on the cross (Rom. 6:8, Col. 3:3). What rose again as a new creation—the new self, as righteous and holy as Christ is (2 Cor. 5:17, 21; 1 John 4:17)—THAT is what Christ did for us. Hallelujah! 

But the flesh (false identities, mindsets, strongholds, brokenness, etc.) wants to do what it wants at the expense of love. That is what has to go in being conformed into the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29-30). THAT is what suffering with Christ means—to put those fallen ways of being to death. It means to say no, submit to God, and resist the devil. And that is PAINFUL, but it yields life and full inheritance of every good thing in Christ. 

This is where we use our freedom to choose Love!

Let’s get practical. 

My freedom in Christ limits me where, in my freedom to choose, I would harm others. Use this as a guideline when grappling with tough issues.

So, if I am railing against people who would limit my freedom of self-expression, but my self-expression harms children (porn, sexualizing children, traumatizing people, etc.), I am constrained by the law of Love to curb that self-expression. 

If I have a drug or porn addiction, I am violating love toward myself and others. I am not only harming myself and those who love me, but I am supporting industries that destroy countless lives.

If someone has violated me or my family, the feelings of anger and hatred and the temptation to become bitter and to lash out can be intense. But I am not justified to use my freedom to do so. I am called to step by step forgive and heal, all while operating in self-control and trusting God for His version of justice and recompense. 

This is where the abortion issue becomes clearer as well. Because as a woman, I do have a right to have control over my body. But do I have a right to harm the unborn baby’s body? Now, let me be clear—if you have suffered abortion, whether for rape or not, there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus, because ALL SIN is forgiven. It is important you get healing there. 

There are limitless scenarios that are hot topics and come into play.

The point is that we can’t whitewash and justify where we violate love.  WE are justified AS His children—right with Him—but our sin is not (Rom. 8:31-32). It is forgiven so that we don’t HAVE to sin any longer.

Romans 8:1-2 in The Passion Translation (TPT) says:

1So now the case is closed. There remains no accusing voice of condemnation against those who are joined in life-union with Jesus, the Anointed One.  2For the “law” of the Spirit of life flowing through the anointing of Jesus has liberated us from the “law” of sin and death. (emphasis added)

This is why Holy Spirit has given us His fruit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23).

With all the issues at hand, we are under compulsion of the law of Love to seek God, asking, “What does Your version of love look like here?”

Romans 8:5-6 and12-15a helps us further:

5 Those who are motivated by the flesh only pursue what benefits themselves. But those who live by the impulses of the Holy Spirit are motivated to pursue spiritual realities.  6 For the sense and reason of the flesh is death, but the mind-set controlled by the Spirit finds life and peace. . .

12 So then, beloved ones, the flesh has no claims on us at all, and we have no further obligation to live in obedience to it. 13 For when you live controlled by the flesh, you are about to die. But if the life of the Spirit puts to death the corrupt ways of the flesh, we then taste his abundant life.

14 The mature children of God are those who are moved by the impulses of the Holy Spirit. 15 And you did not receive the “spirit of religious duty,” leading you back into the fear of never being good enough.  But you have received the “Spirit of full acceptance,” enfolding you into the family of God.  TPT (emphasis mine)

God doesn’t want us to be on bondage to fear, sin, addictions, hatred, lust, insecurity, or anything else that assaults who we truly are and our well-being. He adores us and wants us TRULY free! Free to be our true selves and choose love!

And as 1 Corinthians 13:7-8 and 13 says:

7 Love is a safe place of shelter, for it never stops believing the best for others.  Love never takes failure as defeat, for it never gives up.

8 Love never stops loving. . .

13 Until then, there are three things that remain: faith, hope, and love—yet love surpasses them all.  So above all else, let love be the beautiful prize for which you run. 

This is ultimate freedom!

I hope this has been helpful and encouraging. Let me know how it has impacted you!

Much Love,

Catherine