“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.”
This verse of scripture is giving reference to the brethren! Those who have repented of their sins and confessed with their mouth that Jesus Christ died, was buried, and rose again for eternal salvation. Once we become born again, we are called into liberty, meaning we are not bound to the laws of the Old Testament. Basically, we won’t be judged for being liars, thieves, blasphemers, and so on. It’s hard for us to wrap our mind around the thought that once were saved we could never lose it, regardless of what sin we may fall into; however, that is what the Bible teaches. When we get saved, we will not be judged for our sin, but notice how this verse in Galatians doesn’t tell us that once we get saved, we can live however we want. It does direct us to keep sin out of our life. It appears in this context of scripture that there may be some contention among believers in the Galatian church because the following verses say, “14. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love they neighbour as thyself. 15. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.” It seems they’re using their liberty in Christ to treat their brothers in Christ in a wrong way. Sure, they won’t die and go to hell for the sins their committing, but God is commanding not just them, but also us, to not use our liberty to please the flesh.
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” (Galatians 5:1) Too many believers are using their liberty to live life how they want to, but yet can’t figure out why they are so miserable in life. God gets angry with disobedient children that say, “I don’t care, I will live how I want”. ” Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption…” (Galatians 6:7-8) Notice how it says, “his flesh”, don’t we just love ourselves? It’s always about us right!
How can we apply this to our hunting career? First off, are you truly saved? Did Jesus Christ really change your life? Why do you still live like an outlaw? You may think its ok to break game laws, but the Bible says, “…only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh…” Have you ever wondered why your kids are so dishonest? Could it be that dad has been teaching them to lie on their game harvest records? When they fill out a tag to an animal that dad killed, it’s called lying! A lot of Christian men say, “I don’t think there is anything wrong with it, God gave these animals to us. “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake…”(I Peter 2:13) If you intentionally break a game law, you are disobeying God. Have you ever cared about your testimony in front of the game warden? Has it ever crossed your mind that he or she might die and go to hell? Do you think he will listen to your gospel witness while he is writing you a ticket for having to many rabbits in your pouch? “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.” (Philippians 2:15) Is your daily bag limit not enough? This upcoming season, Ohio will allow you to take 6 deer statewide, but yet there will be many illegal deer tagged or not even tagged at all. This is expected of a lost sinner. They’re lost, how else would they act? Why are Christians doing this? Why have men and women of God justified to themselves that its ok? “…only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh…” I have to admit, I’ve had my days in the woods where I made some decisions that could have caused a great deal of trouble, but can I also say there were many other things in my life that was not right with God! As I began to confess my sins and grow closer to the Lord, God showed me that I cannot do wrong and have a right relationship with Him. What is your story man or woman of God? Will you purposefully break the laws in your state this season? If so, how can you stay unspotted from the world? How can you obey every ordinance of man? “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.” (Romans 13:14)
Memory Verse
Galatians 5:13
“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.”
