Galatians 5:13 (NIV) You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature ; rather, serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13 (NLT) For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But dont use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. INTRODUCTION Paul distinguishes between freedom to sin and freedom to serve. Freedom or license to sin is no freedom at all, because it enslaves you to Satan, others, or your own sinful nature. Christians, by contrast, should not be slaves to sin, because they are free to do right and to glorify God through loving service to others. [Life Application SB] COMMENTARY PEARL Early in my spiritual journey, when something bad happened, I'd ask why God hadn't prevented it or why He had allowed it. I hear the same refrain from others when there are global catastrophes or smaller personal tragedies. But God isn't a cosmic puppeteer, moving people around in some galactic drama. The truth is we all have free will. Free will means that, as I make good choices and bad choices, I'm subject to the natural consequences of those choices. The earth in which we live is no longer the paradise God designed. After the Fall, which was the direct result of Adam and Eve's free will, our world became a broken place where bad stuff could happen. With Jesus's power within me, I can minimize the chance of harming anyone by choosing to serve others humbly with love, heeding Paul's command in this verse in Galatians. By His example, Jesus encourages me to use my freedom to help make the world a better place. -Isabella Campolattaro Faith Step: If you find yourself tempted to "indulge the flesh" today - choose instead to serve someone else with humility and with love. [Mornings With Jesus 2022 Devotional by Guideposts and Zondervan] LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS TOPIC Galatians 5:16 - Living by the Spirit. http://www.abible.com/devotions/2019/20190728-1011.html Galatians 6:7, 8 - The Universal Law of Reaping What You Sow. http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20211013-1103.html YOUR COMMENTS If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or testimony on this passage of Scripture, either personal or otherwise, I would be interested in hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred Gibbs LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT Most Important Decision in Life: http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0 A Man without Equal by Bill Bright: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo Steps to Peace by Billy Graham: https://stepstopeace.org/ Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782 Prayer Made Real: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: http://www.liftingupjesus.net/ Amazing Facts Bible Studies: http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx Voice of Prophecy Discover Bible Study Guides: https://www.voiceofprophecy.com/study/discover Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: http://www.bibleresearch.info/ LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible Panorama of Prophecy with Pastor Doug Batchelor: https://www.panoramaofprophecy.com/ Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW: https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657 Islam and Christianity in Prophecy, The Third and Final Conflict by Tim Roosenberg: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHSJB-fuHLU&list=PLWhQIHGTHlkaGg5Cwe3NDzWtFX8vNSpsE