Called to Freedom, Commited to the Way



Reflections on Galatians 5:1, 13–25 and Luke 9:51–62

In this week’s sacred readings, we are drawn into two powerful visions of discipleship. One is a cry of liberation, the other a summons to the road. Paul urges the Galatians to claim the true freedom that Christ has won—not a freedom of self-rule, but of Spirit-led surrender. At the same time, Luke paints a haunting, beautiful portrait of Jesus turning resolutely toward Jerusalem, toward his suffering, his purpose, and his glory.

Together, these scriptures raise a question that echoes through the soul of every believer:
What will I do with the freedom Christ has given me? And what must I leave behind to truly follow Him?

For Freedom Christ Has Set Us Free

Paul's voice cuts through the confusion of a freedom misunderstood. “For freedom Christ has set us free” (Galatians 5:1). But not the kind of freedom we often crave—not freedom from obligation, not the right to retreat into self-made identities, not permission to follow every fleeting desire. No, this is a deeper freedom—a costly, sacred liberty that frees us from our false selves.

It is the liberation from the need to dominate, from the fear of not being enough, from the hunger to be noticed or in control. It is the exodus from the Egypt of ego.

Paul warns the Galatians and us: “Do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13). In other words, the freedom Christ offers is not a solitary escape—but a doorway into communion, into other-centered love.

The sign that we are walking in this freedom is not how boldly we speak, how well we defend doctrine, or how clearly we stand apart. The sign is fruit—not multiple, disjointed virtues, but one unified harvest from the garden of the Spirit:
Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Kindness. Goodness. Faithfulness. Gentleness. Self-control. (Galatians 5:22–23)

Together, they are the aroma of Christ in the world.

But fruit does not grow without pruning.

So we must ask with courage:
Where in my life am I using freedom to serve myself?
Am I free enough to love those who disappoint me?
Am I free enough to listen without needing to be right?
Am I free enough to forgive when it cuts deep?

To live by the Spirit is not a passive condition—it is an active walk, a practiced rhythm. Each step requires a laying down: of pride, of resentment, of the need to win. It is the daily invitation to let the Spirit till the soil of the heart.

He Set His Face Toward Jerusalem

Luke tells us that Jesus “set His face toward Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51). This is no casual phrase—it is a turning point in the entire Gospel narrative. From this moment, Jesus walks with unshakable resolve toward the cross. Toward the place of sacrifice, of love poured out, of obedience to the Father’s will.

And in His steps, He invites others to follow.

Three would-be disciples appear—each with a “but.”
“I’ll follow, but first let me say goodbye.”
“Let me bury my father.”
“Let me settle my affairs.”

These are not unreasonable requests. They are deeply human. But Jesus, with clear eyes and tender urgency, responds with words that shake us: “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62).

This is not condemnation. It is invitation into total surrender.

Discipleship is not a part-time devotion. It is a full reorientation of the heart. It is not about adding Jesus to our plans—it is about laying down our plans to receive His.

So we must ask:
Where is your Jerusalem?
Where is Christ calling you to go, even though the path is hard?
What is the cross you are being asked to carry?
What have you delayed, or postponed, hoping for a more convenient season?

Let go of the excuses cloaked in good intentions. Jesus isn’t asking for your perfection. He is asking for your yes.

Walking by the Spirit: A Pilgrim’s Way

Both Paul and Luke are singing the same song:
Faith is not a static belief—it is a path to be walked.

Paul writes, “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25).
Luke shows us Jesus, walking toward the cross, undeterred and unafraid.

This is not just the story of Jesus. It is the pattern of our own lives, if we are willing.
We, too, are called to walk. To set our faces. To carry our crosses—not as burdens of shame, but as signs of love.

To walk by the Spirit means we no longer lead ourselves.
We step when He steps.
We pause when He pauses.
We go where He goes.

And this is where the mystery unfolds:
Even though the path is narrow, it leads to spacious places.
Even though it feels like dying, it is where life begins.
Even though it costs us everything, it gives us everything that matters.

What Will You Do With Your Freedom?

Christ has already broken your chains.
He has opened the gate.
He has placed a staff in your hand and whispered, “Come.”

You are free.
Free not to flee, but to follow.
Free not to hoard love, but to pour it out.
Free not to cling to safety, but to walk in faith.

So what will you do with your freedom?

Spend it on self-preservation—or sow it into the kingdom?

The journey may be long. The road may rise steep. But it leads to joy, and peace, and fruit that will feed others long after you are gone.

Let us not be casual Christians. Let us not be distracted followers. Let us be pilgrims of the Way—hearts fixed on Christ, feet steady in the Spirit, hands open to love. Amen


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