Scripture:
Galatians 5
1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
7 You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?
11 But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed.
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Observation:
Paul, a man who was so set on enforcing the law that he encouraged the killing of Christians, now says the only thing that counts for anything is faith working through love.
Faith in what? Faith that Christ has set us free.
Free from what? Not freedom from the law, but that the cross has removed the penalty of falling short of the law.
Paul says the cross is offensive.
Christ Jesus was executed to set me free.
Paul actually says to “call us to freedom”.
And yet, this freedom is being used as “opportunities for the flesh”.
Application:
I consider the cross many things, but do I consider it offensive? Paul did.
In an era when everyone is personally offended by everything, do I appreciate the offense of the cross? Jesus, God and perfect man, was butchered on an instrument of Roman torture and death for us … for me. This is offensive!
And I belittle it with opportunities of the flesh!
I actually do worse than belittle it.
I have the gall to call it freedom! Ugh!
Paul asks an important question: “Who hinders from obeying the truth?”
It is me. I hinder me. … I put on the yoke.
I must appreciate the offense of the cross, the greatest act of Love the world has ever known.
If I truly appreciated the offense of the cross, I would be eager to serve one another through love.
And I would see it as freedom!
It is this freedom I am called to.
Prayer:
God help me know the offense of the cross.
Help me see others as opportunities to live out love freely.
Spirit empower me to do so
In Jesus name
Amen