Every three years, Galatians 5:1, 13-25 comes up as the epistle lectionary reading either the Sunday before or the Sunday after the 4th of July. This is quite appropriate, because both this text and the 4th of July are about FREEDOM. On the 4th of July we celebrate American freedom. Similarly, the apostle Paul boldly proclaims “For freedom Christ has set us free. . . you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters” but he adds a stipulation that our society needs to be reminded of: “Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another.” This Sunday we will reflect on the relationship between love and freedom.
Click on the title, Love and Freedom“, to listen to Pastor Ernie’s July 3rd message.