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Galatians 5:13, 14 - How Freedom and Slavery Differ.

Galatians 5:13, 14 (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. 14 For the whole law can be 
summed up in this one command: Love your 
neighbor as yourself. 

Galatians 5:13, 14 (EAV) For you, brethren, 
were [indeed] called to freedom; only [do not let 
your] freedom be an incentive to your flesh and an 
opportunity or excuse [for selfishness], but through 
love you should serve one another. 14 For the 
whole Law [concerning human relationships] is 
complied with in the one precept, You shall love your 
neighbor as [you do] yourself. 

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

Serve At Home
   An elderly couple had been praying for 
the Lord to show them how they could serve Him. 
Physically, they were unable to venture far from home. 
One day a young mother, their neighbor, knocked 
at their door and handed them some fresh bread 
she had baked. The couple, overwhelmed at her 
gift, invited her in. Looking into her pale face 
with dark circles under her eyes, they learned 
she was suffering from a serious disease and 
asked if they could pray with her. A tear fell on 
her cheek, and she said, "No one has ever prayed 
for me before." As the weeks and months passed, 
the couple came to know the woman and began 
looking after her children on occasion while the 
woman went for medical treatment. The couple baked 
cookies and taught the children Bible stories after 
school. In time the entire family came to know the 
Lord. This is service with eternal value. 
   Some believe that they can do God's work 
only on a mission field far away, but service 
begins right where you are. 
   How can you serve right where you are? 
[Peace for Each Day by Billy Graham] 

COMMENTARY

Life Plus Love
   Suppose I gave everything I had to 
charity. You probably would say I was a very good 
person - a fine Christian. But Paul said that 
unless I acted out of love, "I am nothing" (1 Cor. 
13:2). George Sweeting has said, "Life minus love 
equals nothing!" Do you have this kind of love - a 
love that puts others ahead of yourself? Without 
Jesus Christ in your heart, without the Holy 
Spirit in your life, you can't produce this love. 
This is the kind of love Jesus had for us, when 
He willingly left the glory of Heaven and went 
to the cross for our salvation. 
   Only God can give us a selfless love for 
others, as the Holy Spirit changes us from within. 
This is one reason we must receive Christ, for 
apart from His Spirit we can never be freed from 
the chains of selfishness, jealousy, and 
indifference. Will others see Christ's love in your life 
today?  
   Forgive me, Lord, for the times I have 
done good things with a bad attitude. I know that 
you judge my motives and not just my movements. 
Teach me to love as You love.  [Hope for Each Day 
by Billy Graham] 

CLOSING THOUGHT

   When we are faithful to keep ourselves in 
His holy presence, and set Him always before us, 
this hinders our offending Him, and doing 
anything that may displease Him. It also begets 
[creates] in us a holy freedom, and, if I may so 
speak, a familiarity with God, where, when we ask, 
He supplies the graces we need. Over time, by 
often repeating these acts, they become habitual, 
and the presence of God becomes quite natural to 
us.  
   Think of one thing in your life that 
displeases God. Whatever that is, it's undermining your 
ability to keep yourself in His holy presence. Now, 
imagine the freedom you will experience if you yield 
to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and begin 
to obey Christ in that area of your life. The 
more time spent in His presence, the more 
familiar we become with Him, and the less likely we 
are to do things that displease Him. [The 
Practice of the Presence of God: 40 Day Devotional by 
Brother Lawrence/Alan Vermilye] 

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY 

Galatians 5:13 - Choose Freedom Not Slavery; 
Service Not Sin. 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220125-0852.html 

James 2:8 - The Royal Law of Love.

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210922-0905.html 

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/