For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.
(Galatians 5:1))
Martin Luther once wrote a treatise called Freedom of a Christian. In it, he wrote the following:
A Christian is a perfectly free Lord of all, subject to none.
A Christian is a dutiful servant of all, subject to all.
These words may seem like a paradox. Yet, for the Christian, it is clear.
Our freedom in Christ allows us, indeed challenges us, to live a life of service and love of neighbor. We are not bound by the "slavery" to self-interest, self-promotion, or self-protection. We need not remain "enslaved" to the chains of self-doubt, self-pity, or self-righteousness. We have been freed to be selfless, self-effacing, and self-sacrificing. In other words, to live and love like Jesus.
It really is that simple. And that difficult. We are free. We are servants. In Christ, this works and in Christ, this makes perfectly merciful sense!
Jesus, the breaker of chains, guide us to choose freedom of service over slavery to self. Amen.
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