ye have been called unto liberty
William MacDonald teaches that Christian liberty is a sacred freedom to serve others in love, not a license to indulge the flesh or sin.
In this sermon, William MacDonald explores the profound meaning of Christian liberty as taught in Galatians 5:13. He emphasizes that believers are called to a responsible freedom that rejects license and embraces loving service to others. MacDonald illustrates how true freedom is found in submission to Christ and living according to His commandments, offering listeners a clear understanding of spiritual liberty and its practical implications.
Text
“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” (Gal. 5:13)
The liberty of the child of God is one of his priceless possessions. Made free by the Son, he is free indeed. But he is called to responsible freedom, not to license.
Children want to be free from the restraints of home. Young people want to be free from the discipline of study. Adults want to be free from their marriage vows. Still others rebel against being boxed in by regular employment. But these are not the freedoms to which we are called.
The stars are not free to leave their orbits and wander throughout space. A train is not free to leave the tracks and meander over the countryside. A plane is not free to leave its assigned course; its safety depends on the pilot’s obeying the regulations.
Jowett comments, “There is no realm where the lawless are the free. In whatever way we wish to go we must accept bondage if we would discover liberty. A musician must reverence the laws of harmony if he would exult in his lovely world. A builder must put himself in bondage to the law of gravity, or it is not a house that emerges, but a rubbish-heap. What sort of liberty does a man enjoy who consistently defies the laws of health? In all these realms to trespass is to be maimed, to pay homage is to be free.”
It is true that the believer is free from the law (Rom. 7:3) but that does not mean that he is lawless. He is now enlawed to Christ, bound by the cords of love, and committed to obey the numerous commandments that are found in the New Testament.
The believer is free from sin as master (Rom. 6:7, 18, 22) but only to become a servant to God and to righteousness.
The believer is free from all men (1 Cor. 9:19) in order to become a servant to all, that he might win the more.
But he is not free to use his liberty as a pretext for evil (1 Pet. 2:16 RSV). He is not free to indulge the flesh (Gal. 5:13). He is not free to stumble or offend another person (1 Cor. 8:9). He is not free to bring dishonor on the Name of the Lord Jesus (Rom. 2:23, 24). He is not free to love the world (1 John 2:15-17). He is not free to grieve the indwelling Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19).
Man does not find fulfillment or rest in doing his own thing. He finds it only in taking Christ’s yoke and learning of Him. “His service is perfect freedom.”
Sermon Outline
-
I. The Nature of Christian Liberty
- Liberty as a priceless possession given by Christ
- Freedom is not license to sin
- Examples of natural laws illustrating true freedom
-
II. The Believer's Freedom and Responsibility
- Free from the law but bound to Christ by love
- Free from sin’s mastery to serve righteousness
- Free from men to become servant to all
-
III. Limits to Christian Liberty
- Not a pretext for evil or fleshly indulgence
- Must avoid causing others to stumble
- Must honor Christ and not love the world
-
IV. The True Fulfillment in Christ’s Yoke
- Man’s rest is found in submission to Christ
- Service to Christ is perfect freedom
- Liberty expressed through love and obedience
Key Quotes
“The liberty of the child of God is one of his priceless possessions.” — William MacDonald
“There is no realm where the lawless are the free.” — William MacDonald
“His service is perfect freedom.” — William MacDonald
Application Points
- Use your Christian freedom to serve others in love rather than indulge selfish desires.
- Avoid actions that could cause others to stumble or dishonor Christ.
- Find true rest and fulfillment by submitting to Christ’s yoke and learning from Him.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be called unto liberty?
It means believers are given freedom from sin and the law, but this freedom calls for responsible living in love and service to others.
Is Christian liberty a license to sin?
No, Christian liberty is not a license to indulge the flesh but a call to serve one another in love and obey God’s commandments.
How can a believer use their freedom responsibly?
By avoiding actions that cause others to stumble, honoring Christ, and living in obedience to the Spirit.
What are some biblical examples of limits on Christian freedom?
Believers should not use freedom to offend others, grieve the Holy Spirit, or love the world, as taught in 1 Corinthians 8:9 and 1 John 2:15-17.
Where does true freedom and rest come from according to the sermon?
True freedom and rest come from taking Christ’s yoke and learning from Him, serving Him in love and obedience.