Paul writes, “For freedom Christ has set you free,” meaning that Christian freedom is given for the purpose of loving and serving one’s neighbors. This is contrary to our often self-centered understanding of freedom, which can mean doing what I want when I want at the expense of others. Guided by the Holy Spirit, Christian freedom means being called by Christ to use our gifts for others in God’s mission. Like Jesus who spoke plainly to those who wanted to follow him, there is a cost to following Jesus. We are freed from the constraints and social conventions of this world to serve others; we are freed to act in the present for Christ; and we are freed to live into God’s future with hope. Following Jesus is the path to true freedom and a life of service for others.
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