Free Indeed!
In Galatians 5:1–15, Paul reminds us that the Christian life is not about earning God’s approval. It’s about living from the approval we already have in Christ. The Galatians were being tempted to go back to rule-keeping and performance as the basis of their standing with God. Paul lovingly but firmly tells them: Don’t go back there.
And the same reminder is good for us.
It’s so easy to drift into thinking:
- “If I read more, then God will love me more.”
- “If I serve more, then I’ll be more secure.”
- “If I give more, God will bless me more.”
But our relationship with God is not built on our performance — it’s built on Christ’s finished work. We obey, not to be accepted, but because we are accepted.
At the same time, Paul gives us balance. Freedom in Christ isn’t about doing whatever we want. It’s about becoming the kind of people who genuinely love others.
If we want to know whether we’re walking in freedom, we can ask:
- Am I becoming more loving?
- Am I serving others joyfully?
- Am I building up or tearing down?
A free church is not a perfect church. It’s a loving church.
My prayer for One Hope is that we would be known not for pressure, not for pride, not for performance — but for grace-filled, humble love.
You are free in Christ.
Stand firm in that freedom.
And let that freedom overflow into love for one another.
Grateful to walk in that freedom with you,
Pastor Patrick