What should we do with our Christian liberty instead of using it to satisfy the lusts of the flesh?
Instead of using Christian liberty as an occasion to satisfy the lusts of the flesh, believers should let God-given agape love govern them. That love always seeks the other person’s highest good, even under every circumstance, and may require selling themselves short to accomplish what is best for the other.
Les explains that rather than use our liberty for an occasion to satisfy the lusts of the flesh, we are to let that God-given agape love—the Greek word agape—operate. He defines agape love as seeking that other person’s highest good, always under every circumstance. In practice, this may mean selling ourselves short to accomplish what is the highest good for the other. He also says verse 14 teaches that all the Law and commandments are fulfilled in one Word, and he encourages comparing Scripture with Scripture so we do not say it doesn’t mean what it says.
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
Can a Christian use their liberty to do whatever they want because they are saved?
No. Scripture teaches that Christian liberty is not a license to do whatever one wants. Paul writes in Galatians 5:13 that believers must not use their freedom as an occasion for the flesh, but instead serve one another by love as bond slaves.
How should Christian liberty be used instead of satisfying fleshly lusts?
Christian liberty must never become an opportunity to gratify fleshly lusts. Instead, believers are to exercise it through God-given agape love, which consistently seeks the other person's highest good in practice, even when that requires selling themselves short for that other person.
More Questions
Can Christians use their liberty as a license to do whatever they want?
Christians are not to use their liberty as an occasion to the flesh by saying that because they are saved and are children of God they can do whatever they want.