Called to Freedom

For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become enslaved to one another. 14 For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.

Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. 24 And those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another (Galatians 5:1, 13-25 NRSV).

Call to Worship

Our freedom comes as life in the Spirit.
We reject the works based only on our fleshly desires.
We live a new life of spirit and truth.
Let us worship the Lord in full spirit. Amen.

Prayer for the Day

God of all life and love: we are your children, and you made us free to live in joyful relationship with you and one another. Your grace empowers us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Give us the courage to love ourselves as much as you love us and to love others with the same compassion. Amen.

Prayer of Confession

Loving God, you give us freedom. In fact, in you, we live in perfect freedom. Fear tries to bind us. Idolatry comes chasing after us. Divisive arguments try to trap us in corners and keep us locked away from one another. These are not the freedoms you have in mind for your children, loving God. We confess, we have submitted to them in the past, but no more. Inspire us to live in the freedom you have given us for love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. You set us free. Give us the courage to enjoy it. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Beloved children of God: hear and believe the good news, for freedom Christ has set us free to live anew.

Benediction

Children of God: you are loved into freedom, set loose on the world to share the gifts of the Holy Spirit, so go and love your neighbor, all of your neighbors, as you love yourself, in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.