Galatians 5:13
Memory Verse
For you all have been called on the basis of freedom, brethren, only do not use the freedom for an opportunity to the flesh, but through the love you all serve one another (Galatians 5:13).
In Christ, the believer has freedom. This freedom entails a life apart from law. That is, law is the basis for how a Christian dictates his righteous behavior. Any law, not just the Mosaic law, that has the intent of dictating a person’s righteousness based upon their actions. The Holy Spirit now indwells the believer, and where He is, there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17).
This freedom is not to be used as an opportunity for the flesh, nor as a cloak for doing wrong (1 Peter 2:16). Since God has reckoned to the believer the death and resurrection of Christ, the one in the Christ is dead to his sin nature and alive unto God (Romans 6:4–6). Thus, this one is free to live out the righteousness he now possesses in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:30).
Living by grace and eternal, unconditional salvation are not given so that a person can continue to sin. How can we who have died to our sin nature continue to feel at ease performing its works? Romans 6:1–2). The one who lives in freedom is able to freely love other saints and work out his salvation because he has all things pertaining to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).
Therefore, let us stand fast in our liberty in Christ, not again being engaged with a yoke of bondage (Galatians 5:1). Those who seek to be justified by law fall from grace (Galatians 5:4). Therefore, those who desire to live by law are not living according to the freedom in Christ, but seeking to establish their own righteousness.
Stop with the “do not” and start loving other saints (John 13:34; 15:12).