Freedom and Responsibility

Galatians 2:1-10

2 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. 2 I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain. 3 But even Titus, who was with me, was not forced to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. 4 Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery— 5 to them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you. 6 And from those who seemed to be influential (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—those, I say, who seemed influential added nothing to me. 7 On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised 8 (for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles), 9 and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.

By Justus Martin

By Justus Martin

The apostle Paul would have been a great American. He loved freedom—he had a lot to say about it, but what’s surprising is that he called himself a doulos (Greek for slave) of Christ (Romans 1:1). The debate in Galatians chapter 2 centers around the question of what does someone have to do, or be, to follow God properly. When Paul wrote his letter, some Jewish Christians thought they needed to keep obeying and living by all the laws found in the Old Testament. These people believed that outsiders who wanted to follow God needed to follow the same rules and “look the same” as them.

Paul wrote to the Ephesians that there wasn’t anything about them that caused God to save them (Ephesians 2:4-9). It wasn’t the good things they did; it also wasn’t because of the bad things they didn’t do. It was only because God is rich in mercy and grace that He chose to save them through their trust in the sacrificial, atoning work of Jesus. The debate of the first century is still one we discuss today. Culturally, we’re told not to judge people. We might have even told people to “not be so legalistic.” So what is a Christian allowed to do? Does God’s grace mean we won’t be punished? Can we live in immorality because God has saved and forgiven us anyway?

Romans chapter 6 gives a very clear answer on immorality—it’s “no!” Christ paid our penalty and has declared us righteous, but the Bible is very clear that God wants us to be sanctified, and that is very closely tied to our sexuality and what we do with our bodies (1 Thessalonians 4:3). We should look at the example of the Israelites who had just escaped Egypt. God granted plenty of grace, protection, and provision as He led them out of Egypt, but when they sinned against Him, He didn’t tolerate it (1 Corinthians 10:1-11). Just as children grow toward the maturity, freedom, and fullness of adulthood though the discipline of their parents, God does the same with us because He loves us (Hebrews 12:5-11).

So, what is the freedom Christians can live in today? Can we miss a few weeks of church? Can we watch R-rated movies? Can disciples drink? How short of shorts can we wear?

I encourage you to read and know your Bible very well, and to ask God how He would have you live your life in the freedom of living for Him.


*  This devotion was found at Bible.com titled “Live Free: the book of Galatians” by Calvary Chapel Ft. Lauderdale.