I take every opportunity to thank those who have served in the armed forces for protecting this country. With so much conflict and bombing world-wide I think Paul’s writings can help move us out of our American comfort zone and into Kingdom reality.

In these portions of Galatians 5 Paul addresses freedom. We would do well to ponder his wisdom.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

¹³ You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. ¹⁴ For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” ¹⁵ If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

¹⁶ So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 

I did not copy out the entire chapter, though it is well worth your time to read and ponder it! My questions require some self-examination.

Have I allowed the pressure of this society to move me into bondage and away from freedom?

Do I indulge my flesh more often than seek the freedom given to me through Christ?

Am I truly seeking FIRST his Kingdom and his righteousness?

Are the fruits of the Spirit in evidence in my life?

Have I crucified the flesh and its passions and desires?

Do I keep step with the Spirit?

In the areas where I have fallen short I can pray asking the Almighty to help me live the Kingdom way.

These things lead us into a freedom that the world and the government cannot give. Regardless of the country we live in we can pursue these things and bring glory to Christ our Lord.

I will with God’s help.