Daily Devotional For Friday, May 9, 2025
We live in a country known as the “home of the free and the brave.” Freedom is something Americans appreciate, but we can take advantage of it at times. We have to be sure as Christians we do not do that spiritually. The Bible says this in Galatians 5:13, “For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (NASB). As I read this, I can’t help but think that many Christians understand they are freed from something, but unfortunately, they don’t know what they are freed for in life. Jesus did not free us like caged birds to fly off and out to do whatever we desire now that we are free. There is a purpose in our freedom.
There is a persistent, nagging voice inside each one of us, telling us the most important things are what “I” feel and what “I” want. The Bible calls that our carnal or earthly nature, the part of every person that is in rebellion to God. Paul tells us we should not use the freedom we have in Christ to indulge our sinful nature, and “indulge” is a good word.
It means we know some thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors are not godly, but we decide to engage in them anyway. We know we shouldn’t use our words to manipulate people, but we do. We know we shouldn’t allow our thoughts to wander in an ungodly direction, but we do. We know we shouldn’t watch certain television shows, but we do. Paul says that instead of focusing on “I” and indulging any kind of ungodliness, we should turn our eyes away from ourselves and turn our focus toward others—and then serve them in humility and love.
Christ freed us from condemnation to a life of consecration. Unfortunately, we have a tendency to forget this and thus fall back into our old ways, squandering our freedom in the hopes that maybe one day we could try to get our freedom back. Let me illustrate this with the help of pastor and author Chuck Swindoll:
“South Africa, January 17, 1934 > An impoverished diamond prospector named Jacobus Jonker, discouraged by his string of bad luck, decides to stay home on this particularly cold and windy day. The night before, torrents of heavy rain washed away loads of silt from his fruitless claim of land, and this morning he’s in no mood to sort through the flotsam and jetsam left behind. Instead, he sends his son Gert and some hired hands to work the land.
Later that day, Jacobus hears a ruckus on the road and sees Gert speeding home like a madman, abruptly parking his vehicle and leaping from its seat. Something bad must have happened. Had somebody been hurt? Killed? But rather than a look of panic, Gert wears a smile from ear to ear. As Jacobus opens his mouth to scold his son for his reckless driving, Gert places an egg-sized stone in his hand.
Despite its rough state, the 726-carat diamond glistens in the daylight. Suddenly, Jacobus’s legs give out. With tear-filled eyes he falls to his knees, thanking God for the miraculous find that would make him and his seven children wealthy beyond imagination. The diamond would yield well over five million dollars back then. They were set for life. Or were they?
The true story of the famous Jonker Diamond, however, doesn’t end in perpetual fame and fortune. Instead, within a few years Jacobus Jonker again found himself penniless. Having mismanaged his funds, Jonker found himself once again combing the earth, hoping to find another treasure that would restore his fortune.
A fortune lost … a treasure squandered … a priceless gem wasted. Our world is full of fascinating stories of men and women who suddenly strike it rich, only to lose friends, family, fame, and fortune within months or years. Most people simply can’t handle the prosperity or the responsibility that comes with owning a priceless possession” (Source: Charles R. Swindoll, Swindoll’s Living Insights New Testament Commentary, “Galatians,” p. 109).
Assignment: Ask the Holy Spirit to show how you can help or serve someone today. Serving others is an expression of God’s love and how we build up the Body of Christ. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how not to squander your freedom in Christ. If you have, what can you do with God’s power to live out your freedom in a way that consecrates your life and your witness?
Scripture To Meditate On: 1 Peter 2:16, “Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bond-slaves of God” (NASB).
Prayer To Pray: “Heavenly Father, I repent of indulging my flesh and selfish ambition. I ask for Your forgiveness. Holy Spirit, I invite You to search me and know my heart. Bring my intentions in alignment with Your Word. Today, I choose to humbly submit myself to Your Lordship. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
I love you Southside! – Pastor Kelly