It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1

Devotion

This weekend, the air was filled with the sounds of celebration—fireworks crackling, patriotic music swelling, and laughter shared over backyard cookouts. The word “freedom” was everywhere, a cornerstone of our national identity. As we celebrate the precious liberties of our country, it’s a perfect opportunity to reflect on the deeper, more profound freedom that the Bible speaks of.

The definition of freedom depends on the context, but the basic idea is about living without being held back. It’s the ability to act, speak, think, or live without being controlled or restricted. Our culture often defines freedom as the ability to do “what I want when I want.” It’s the absence of external constraints, the power to choose our own path. Yet, we’ve all seen or experienced how this pursuit can become its own kind of trap. A life dedicated only to satisfying our own desires can lead to emptiness, isolation, and slavery to appetites we can never fully satisfy. This reveals an important truth: true freedom is more than simply the absence of rules.

To illustrate this, consider the world Jesus entered. The Jewish people were living under the weight of 613 distinct laws, governing everything from diet to worship to daily conduct. Can you imagine the anxiety of trying to navigate such a complex web of rules? The constant striving, the fear of making a mistake, was a heavy burden.

Into this system, Jesus brought a radical and liberating teaching. He declared that the entire mountain of laws could be fulfilled by two simple, yet profound, principles: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind,” and “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-40). He shifted the entire focus of life from rule-following to relationship-building—with God and with others. This kind of life is about relationship, not performance; it’s about the condition of the heart, not checking off boxes.

Think about what it truly means to love your neighbor as you love yourself. Each of us wants only the best for ourselves. We want all good things and not bad for ourselves. If you transfer this kind of thinking into loving others, it means you would genuinely seek what is best for them. You would want them to succeed and thrive, and you would want to help them do it. You would hurt for them in their pain and rejoice with them in their successes. Who is one person in your life this week that you can actively rejoice with in his or her success? What is one practical way you can walk alongside someone who is in pain?

This kind of selfless love is the very freedom the Apostle Paul champions in Galatians 5. He boldly declares, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” The “yoke of slavery” was the crushing weight of the law. But Paul also warns against falling into the opposite ditch, cautioning that we should not use our freedom to “gratify the desires of the flesh.” Instead, we are called to “serve one another humbly in love.” True spiritual freedom isn’t a license to indulge our selfish impulses; it’s the liberation from those very impulses. 

When we live out of love for God and others, we are guided by the Spirit. We are no longer held captive by a list of rules, nor are we enslaved to our pride, anger, or greed. Instead, we can produce the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, Paul writes, there is no law. True freedom isn’t doing whatever we want … it’s knowing what leads to life and living within it.

PRAYER

Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for pointing to a new, liberating way of life. As I reflect on my life, please reveal to me any areas where I am still carrying “the yoke of slavery”—where I am trying to earn approval through performance and rule following? Also, reveal to me any areas where I use my “freedom” to indulge myself rather than serve others? I want to be guided by your Spirit to live a life dominated by love and relationship rather than governed by rules or my own selfish desires. Lead me into the true and lasting freedom you promise. Amen.  

Jennifer Ayotte
Director of Communications 

Resources

• Watch Freedom by Pastor Bill Search.  
• Listen to I Am Free (Who The Son Sets Free) by Newsboys.

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