One of the most interesting verses in Galatians 5, “Freedom of the Christian,” is verse 13.
“For you were called to be free, brothers; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.” [Galatians 5:13 HCSB]
The words Paul used for “free” and “freedom” are eleutheria and eleutherian. Pretty much the same word meaning freedom, liberty, especially a state of freedom from slavery. We were called through the amazing invitation of God to become His own. When we accepted God’s invitation to come to Him through the work of Christian Jesus on the cross, we were set free from slavery to sin, guilt, and shame.
Paul goes on to tells his readers that since they have been set free by Christ Jesus and are now in a state of freedom from slavery, they should “serve” one another. Paul uses the word douleuó, which means to be a slave. It comes from the word doulos, which describes the basest of slaves. Doulos was someone who belonged to another, without any ownership rights of their own.
When Christianity got hold of that word, they converted it to one of the highest honor to describe believers who willingly live under Christ’s authority as His devoted followers. They voluntarily serve their LORD and Master with great delight. And they gladly serve each other through unconditional love (agape).
The USA is celebrating independence today. Many citizens think that means they are “free” to do whatever they want, whenever they want, however they want.
God’s view of true liberty is being set free to willingly serve Him and others. It is freedom to love unconditionally as we are loved by Him. It is freedom to rejoice in a salvation that extends beyond borders and beyond time.