Galatians 5:13 instructs us, ” …brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.”
In this profound verse, Paul addresses the Christian who has discovered the Precious Holy Spirit, the death of separation, the life of resurrection, the victory of ascension, the repose of being seated with Christ in glory. In a sense, Paul admonishes us as Spiritual men and women: Don’t use your liberty as a bondage maker by willfully reverting to the sphere of “non-liberty..’
The implication here carries a power house of truth.
- The Spiritual man has become a discerning person.
- also a will-deciding individual
- he or she choose their identity.
- They carefully must be wary of past identities.
- They must discern false identities.
- They must adhere to the parameters of their new identity in Christ.
Paul summarizes the accepted identity, “in love serve — one another.”
Friends, liberty defines the sphere in which true love can operate and love’s operation is serving others.
James defines this phenomenon as “the perfect law of liberty” and then “the royal law of love.” See James 1:25, 2:12.
“The great King, God, is love; His law is the royal law of love, and that law, like Himself, reigns supreme,” “it exists at once a law of love and of liberty.” JFB
“The law is thus not made void, but fulfilled.”
So, we believers must hold to a “law” which identifies with the sphere of the fulfilled law, as opposed to living out an identity which remains “under” the Law. Our identity, sphere, or parameters of life spring not from “getting there” but from “gotten there.”
“Christians are to aim at a higher standard of holiness than was generally understood under the law. The principle of love takes the place of the letter of the law, so that by the Spirit they are free from the yoke of sin, and free to obey by spontaneous instinct.” JFB
A caution for a “set free” believer is in James 2:9-10:
“if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. “
The believer, with a misplaced identity which leads to a “player of favorites,” is bound to revert to a guilt filled self, a place of torment. But the discerning, deciding, free and loving believer, “is no respecter of persons.” He shuns the guilt filled “judgment without mercy” and chooses “mercy which rejoices against judgment.” See James 2:13
Therefore to respect persons is at variance with God and His royal law.”
Indeed, the subject of “respecter” is the context of James 2 — a respecter plays favorites, is partial, “…has respect of the outward circumstances of man and not to their intrinsic merits.” JFB
But James 2:5 shouts, Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
Folks, I am forced to confess, the concepts of “worldly justice, and judgment, often seem more valid than the simplicity of being “rich in faith.” Frankly, the prize of winning Christ, often appears inferior to the price of suffering and forbearing persons. Yes, not just to serve in love, but to find the Person, “Love” has got to happen. I cannot fall in love with rules, regulations, principles and precepts alone.
Mercy and it’s rejoicing against judgment are discovered in the Most Holy, Holy of Holies, where the veil is rent and access easy. In there I find grace and mercy, the glorious essence of God, blood spilled, the glorious sacrifice of Him who redeems, redeems, redeems. The Trinity resides here, Father, overlooking, the Son interceding, the Spirit revealing — illuminating the mind, applying blood to the conscience, leading us to the Son, who points us to the Father.
In closing liberty and love dwell here and we say with David, one thing have I desired, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord…”. Love ya
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