Morning Message: Sit At My Right Hand

Bobservations' Column
Titled: "Sit At My Right Hand"
Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz

Sixty-six Books; Forty different scribes; one Author: this is what our Bible is, a collection of Books attributed to different writers, but authored by a single entity. 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us that "all scripture is given by the inspiration of God" to these 40 writers. Literally, it is God-breathed unto them. The apostle Peter affirms the idea in 2 Peter 1:17-21, in an interesting way; he says, if need be, disregard his own personal testimony, and read the prophets of old, as they are “a more sure word of prophecy,” proving themselves by having been fulfilled already.

We begin today to undertake a study through the Epistle to the Hebrews. We know the approximate date of this letter, sometime prior to the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in 70 A.D. But unlike all the other Epistles, no one puts their name to it. A debate has swirled about the writer for 2,000 years. The style of the writing is somewhat unique, but not completely unique. Some will argue that the Apostle Luke wrote it, which would make it the third Book that he wrote that has become part of the Cannon. Others will make an argument for Apollos, because of its eloquence. If this is the case, then there are forty-one scribes of scripture. The third option is the Apostle Paul, making this his fourteenth Book included in the Cannon of the Bible. His knowledge of religion(s) is there. His eloquence in the written word is throughout. His intimacy with Christ Jesus flows through every chapter. Though any of these could have written this Epistle, there is a verse in 2 Peter 3:15 that gives the edge to Paul as the writer:

“And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;”

This lends itself to the focal character of all sixty-six books, Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, Who is also known as the “only begotten of the Father,” which furthermore brings us back to authorship, and Paul’s intimate knowledge of monotheism. The Bible is an autobiography of God. If the Book of Revelation is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, then the entire Bible is God’s Revelation of Himself, as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, our Triune God, to be worshiped with all our heart, soul, and strength (Deuteronomy 6;4,5).

“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.” - Psalm 45:6; Hebrews 1:8

Bobservations Column - Audio Version

Sunday Morning Message:

Hebrews 1:1=14 - "Sit At My Right Hand"

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

The epistle to the Hebrews is a unique book in the New Testament. It begins as an essay (Hebrews 1:1-2), progresses as a sermon (Hebrews 2:1-4), and ends as a letter (Hebrews 13:23-25). Its contents are deep and challenging. Many Christians find it difficult; some equate its difficulty with the book of Revelation.

• But for Christians willing to take the time to read and reflect upon it, they will be: Reminded of how blessed they are to have trusted in Christ
• Impressed with the superiority of Christ and His New Covenant over Moses and the Old Covenant
• Warned of the danger of apostasy and the need for steadfastness in their faith

Hebrews 1 is an awe-inspiring reminder of the supremacy of Jesus Christ as God's Son. It underscores the uncontestable superiority of Jesus, not just over earthly creations, but celestial beings like angels as well. The chapter prompts us to reflect on the grandeur of Jesus' role, His divine nature, and His eternal rule. We are reminded to trust His authority, as He is the ultimate revelation of God's will and love for humanity.

Sunday Morning Audio Message:

Key Words and Definitions with Reference:

Sundry Times (1:1) - Means various times, or many different periods or occasions in the past when God communicated with His people. Over the course of possibly 1,800 years (from Job c. 2200 B.C. to Nehemiah c. 400 B.C.) the Old Testament was written in thirty-nine different books reflecting different historical times, locations, cultures and situations. 

Divers Manners (1:1) - Means various ways that God communicated with His people in the past especially through the prophets.  These included visions, symbols, and parables, written in both poetry and prose.  Though the literary form and style varied, it was always God's revelation of what He wanted His people to know.  The progressive revelation of the Old Testament described God's program of redemption (1 Peter 1:10-12) and His will for His people (Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17).

Last Days (1:2) - The Jews understood the "last days" to mean the time when Messiah (Christ) would come (cf. Numbers 24:14; Jeremiah 33:14-16; Micah 5:1, 2; Zechariah 9:9-16).  The fulfillment of the messianic prophecies commenced with the advent of the Messiah.  Since He came, it has been the "last days" (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:11; James 5:3; 1 Peter 1:20; 4:7; 1 John 2:18).  In the past, God gave revelation through His prophets, but in these times, beginning with the Messiah's advent, God spoke the message of redemption through the Son.

Heir (1:2) - Everything that exists will ultimately come under the control of the Son of God, the Messiah (cf. Psalms 2:8, 9; 89:27; Romans 11:36; Colossians 1:16).  This inheritance is the full extension of the authority which the Father has given to the Son (cf. Daniel 7:13, 14; Matthew 28:18), as the "firstborn."

Worlds (1:2) - The word can also be translated "ages."  It refers to time, space, energy, and matter - the entire universe and everything that makes it function (cf. John 1:3). 

Brightness (1:3) - The term is used only here in the NT.  It expresses the concept of sending forth light or shining (cf. John 8:12; 2 Corinthians 4:4, 6).  The meaning of "reflection' is not appropriate here.  The Son is not just reflecting God's glory; He is God and radiates His own essential glory.

Express Image of His Person (1:3) - The term translated "express image" is used only here in the New Testament.  In extrabiblical literature, it was employed for an engraving on wood, an etching in metal, a brand on animal hide, an impression in clay, and stamped image on coins.  Person is a word conveying nature, being, or essence.  The Son is the perfect imprint, the exact representation of the nature and essence of God in time and space (cf. John 14;9; Colossians 1:15; 29).

Upholding (1:3) - The universe and everything in it is constantly sustained by the Son's powerfully effective word (Colossians 1:17).  The term also conveys the concept of movement or progress.  The Son of God directs all things toward the consummation of all things according to God's sovereign purpose.  He who spoke all things into existence also sustains His creation and consummates His purpose by His Word.

Purged Our Sins (1:3) - By the substitutionary sacrifice of Himself on the Cross (cf. Titus 2:14; Revelation 1:5).

Sat Down at the Right Hand (1:3) - The right hand is the place of power, authority, and honor (cf. v. 13; Romans 8:34; 1 Peter 3:22).  It is also the position of subordination, implying that the Son is under the authority of the Father (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:27, 28).  The seat that Christ has taken is the throne of God (8:1; 1012; 12:2) where He rules as sovereign Lord.  This depicts a victorious Savior, not a defeated martyr.  While the primary thrust of this phrase is the enthronement of Christ, His sitting might also imply the completion of His atoning work.

Being Made (1:4) - The Greek verb used her refers to a change of state, not a change of existence.  The Son in His divine essence has eternally existed, but for a while He was made lower than the angels (2:9) and afterward was exalted to an infinitely higher position by virtue of what He had accomplished in His redemptive work.

Angels (1:4) - Spirit beings created by God to minister to Him and do His bidding.  The Jews held angels in very high regard as the highest beings next to God.  The sect of Judaism which had established a community at Qumran taught that the archangel Michael's authority rivaled or surpassed that of the Messiah.  The writer of Hebrews clearly disclaims any such concept.  The Son of God is superior to the angels.

More Excellent Name (1:4) - That name is Lord.  No angel is Sovereign Lord.

Son (1:5) - A title of Christ expressing the voluntary submission of the second person of the Godhead to the first person for the purpose of fulfilling God's plan of redemption established in eternity past.  

Again (1:6) - This adverb can be taken with "brings" as a reference to the Second Coming of christ or with "says' to indicate yet another quotation from the OT ("and again, when He brings the firstborn into the world, He says" ; cf. v. 5; 2:13). 

Firstbegotten (1:6) - Christ was not the first to be born on the earth, but He holds the highest osition o sovereignty.  As "firstborn," He is also set apart to the service of God and, being preeminent, is entitled to the inheritance (cf. v. 2; Genesis 43:33; Exodus 13:2; 22:29; Deuteronomy 21:17; Psalm 89:27).

Let All the Angels (1:6) -Quoted from Deuteronomy 32:43.  Since the angels are commanded to worship the Messiah, the Messiah is superior to them.  Five of the seven OT passages quoted in the first chapter of Hebrews are in contexts related to the Davidic covenant, which emphasizes the concepts of sonship, kingship, and kingdom.  Although Deuteronomy 32:43 is not in a Davidic covenant context, it has an affinity to the teaching of Psalm 89:6, which declares that the heavenly beings themselves must recognize the lordship of God.  

Of the Angels (1:7) - The writer continues biblical proofs that the angels are subservient to the Son of God by citing Psalm 104:4.  

He Saith (1:8, 9) - Quoting from Psalm 45:6 ,7, the writer argues for the deity and the lordship of the son over creation (cf. v. 3).  The text is all the more significant since the declaration of the Son's deity is presented as the words of the Father Himself (cf. Isaiah 9:6; Jeremiah 23:5, 6; John 5:18; Titus 2:13; 1 John 5:20).  It is clear that the writer of Hebrews had the three messianic offices in mind:  Prophet (vs 1), Priest (v. 3), and King vv. 3, 8). Induction into those three offices required anointing (v. 9).  The title Messiah (Christ) means "anointed one" (cf. Isaiah 61:1-3; Luke 4:16-21).

And Thou (1:10-12) - Quoted from Psalm 102:25-27, The Son who created the universe (John 1:1-3) will one day destroy the heavens and the earth that He created, but He remains unchanged.  Immutability is yet another characteristic of the divine essence.   Once again, the OT testifies of the Son's deity. 

But Thou (1:13-14) - Quoted from Psalm 110:1. The Lordship of the Son.  Christ will reign and the angels will serve the recipients of salvation. 

Enemies Your Footstool (1:13) - Quoted from Psalm 110:1 - the sovereignty of Christ over all!

Morning Message: Well Doing

Bobservations' Column

Titled - "Well Doing"

Written by:  Pastor Bob Lawrenz

Word tenses and definitions in the Bible are interesting to study, even as languages “evolve” in the process of time. The meanings become apparent even from passages written long ago. In spite of language differences, faithful translators have brought us God’s Word in its most accurate form, without taking us to the original tongues.

Today’s title given to this message points to this despite language changes.
“Well Doing” points to us doing well in the tasks that the Lord gives us, which are actual commands. We all desire to hear God’s words on Judgment Day, “Well done thou good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of the Lord.” (Matthew 25:12 & 23). In our KJV 1611 translation, translators have taken us back to Genesis 4:7 and the story of Cain and Abel, as God speaks to Cain: “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?...”

This was from that first generation after Adam and Eve fell from God’s grace. In the Masoretic Text of the Jewish scriptures, it reads similarly.

The editors of Miriam Webster’s Dictionary add new words to the accepted English language on a yearly basis. Yet the KJV Bibles we use today take us accurately all the way back 3,500 years ago to the time of Moses. The phrase “to do well” echoes from the past to our reading today. And as Paul uses it in today’s passage, he is referring to both our good works, and to our obedience to God’s Word. The understanding comes from letting the words sink into the heart, and not just into our ears. It is in our hearts that God has promised to “put His Law on our inward parts, and write it upon our hearts.” (fleshly tablets, instead of cold hard stone like the ones Moses received from God on Mt. Sinai).

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them for they are spiritually discerned.” - 1 Corinthians 2:14

“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” - John 6:63

Bobservations' Column:  Audio Version

Sunday Morning Message

Galatians 6:1-18 - "Well Doing"

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

We are in Galatians chapter 6 and finishing up this wonderful book. The focus of the chapter is on practical Christian living. Paul encourages believers to bear one another's burdens and fulfill the law of Christ. We are called to support and uplift our brothers and sisters in their times of need, showing compassion and mercy just as Christ has shown us. As we do good to all people, especially those in the family of believers (Galatians 6:10), we reflect God's love and bring glory to His name.

Paul teaches the principle of sowing and reaping, reminding us that we will reap what we sow. If we sow seeds of righteousness by walking in obedience to God's Word and serving others with love and humility, we will reap a harvest of blessings both now and in eternity. However, if we sow seeds of selfishness and sinfulness by following our own desires at the expense of others, we will reap destruction and separation from God.

The chapter also contrasts living according to the flesh with living according to the Spirit, ultimately leading to either destruction or eternal life.

As we embrace our identity as new creations in Christ, we bear the marks of Jesus through sacrifice, obedience, and perseverance, we become living testimonies of His love and grace.

May we, like the Galatians, fully surrender to Christ and allow Him to live through us, as we embrace the sufficiency of His grace for both our salvation and sanctification. Let us walk by the Spirit, sow to the spirit pleasing Him, and reap the eternal rewards that await those who faithfully serve our Lord.

Sunday Morning Audio Message:

Key Words and Definitions with Reference:

Overtaken (6:1) - or "Caught," can imply the person was actually seen committing the sin or that he was caught or snared by the sin itself.

Ye . . . Spiritual (6:1) - Believers who are walking in the Spirit, filled with the Spirit, and evidencing the fruit of the Spirit.

Restore (6:1) - or "to mend, or repair" like setting a broken bone or repairing a dislocated limb.  Used metaphorically - settling a dispute or argument.  The basic process of restoration is outline in Matthew 18:15-20.

Considering Thyself (6:1) - "Looking to, observing."   The Greek form strongly emphasizes a continual, diligent attentiveness.

Bear One Another's Burdens (6:2) - Burdens are extra heavy loads, which here represent difficulties or problems people have trouble dealing with.  Bear connotes carrying something with endurance.

The Law of Christ (6:2) - This is the law of love which fulfills the entire law.

Examine (6:4) - "to approve something after testing it." We must first be sure our lives are right with God before giving spiritual help to others (Matthew 7:3-5) .

Have Rejoicing in Himself (6:4) - Our boasting should be only in the Lord for what He has done in us (2 Corinthians 10:12-18).  We cannot take the credit for the work of the 

Spirit.

Bear His Own Burden (6:5) - Life's routine obligations and each believer's ministry calling (cf. Matthew 11:30; 1 Corinthians 3:12-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10.) God requires faithfulness in meeting those responsibilities.

All Good Things (6:6) - Spiritually and morally excellent things learned from the Word, in which they fellowship together.  This same term describes the gospel (Romans 10:15; cf. Hebrews 9:11).

Whatever a Man Sows . . . He Reaps (6:7) - This is an agricultural principle, applied metaphorically to the moral and spiritual realm, and is universally true.  This law is a form of God's wrath.

Sows to His Flesh (6:8) - Pandering to the flesh's evil desires.

Corruption (6:8) - Degeneration, as in decaying food. Sin always corrupts and, when left unchecked, always makes a person progressively worse in character (cf. Romans 6:23).

Sows to the Spirit (6:8) - To walk by the Holy Spirit.

Everlasting Life (6:8) - the highest quality of living that a person can experience, as well as a life that endures forever. 

Opportunity (6:10) - This Greek word refers to a distinct, fixed time period, rather than occasional moments.  Paul's point is that the believer's entire life provides the unique privilege by which he can serve others in Christ's name.

I Have Written (6:11) - Paul wrote the entire letter by his own hand to make sure the Galatians knew he, not some forger, was writing it, and to personalize the document, given the importance and severity of its contents.

Good Showing (6:12) - Judaizers motivated by religious pride wanting to impress others with their external piety. 

May Not Suffer Persecution (6:12) - The Judaizers were more concerned about personal safety than correct doctrine, adhering more to the Mosaic Law than to the gospel of Jesus.  The hoped to avoid social and financial ostracism from other Jews and maintain their protected status as Jews within the Roman Empire.

Circumcised (6:13) - the Judaizers

Boast in Your Flesh (6:13) - Zealously worked to win Gentile converts to the law to brag about their effective proselytizing (cf. Matthew 23:15). 

Boast Except in the Cross (6:14) - The Greek word for boast is a basic expression of praise without the aspect of pride.  Paul glories and rejoices in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. 

The World (6:14) - The evil, satanic system opposed to God. 

Crucified to me, and I to the World (6:14) - The world is spiritually dead to believers, and they are dead to the world.

New Creation (6:15) - The new birth.

Peace and Mercy (6:16) - The result of salvation.  Peace is the believer's new relationship to God (romans 5:1; 8:6; Colossians 3:15), and mercy is the forgiveness of all his sins and the setting aside of God's judgment (Psalm 25:6; Daniel 9:18; Matthew 5:7; Luke 1:50; Romans 12:1; Ephesians 2:4; Titus 3:5).

Israel of God (6:16) - All Jewish believers in Christ, those who are both physical and spiritual descendants of Abraham.

Marks (6:17) - Physical results of persecution.

Morning Message: A Little Leaven

Bobservations Column

Titled - "A Little Leaven"
Written by: Pastor Bob Lawrenz

In the last several years, we have watched the movement to defund the Police. Bail reform laws have followed. Our inner Cities are now the strongholds of violence and death, and those that oppress others who simply want to live in peace.

The Apostle Paul has been teaching the churches about a balance between the Law and Liberty. No population can live in liberty without there some semblance of enforceable laws, for without laws and those that enforce them, society is reduced to a free-for-all. And as we have seen in the media, with the hands of the police tied, the public is now often afraid to go out at night when it’s dark.

God promised to write His law on the fleshly tablets of the believers’ hearts. When that happens to an individual, all the law is fulfilled by “Love thy neighbor as thyself. The heart of a true believer takes into consideration how his actions might affect his neighbor. With the law engrained within us (Jeremiah 31:33 & Ezekiel 11:19,20), and carried out across society, there might not be a need for Police, or the Courts at all.

But it’s time for a reality check, for not everyone has been born again and received that law to love their neighbors as themselves. Not the mention, there is evil in this world. Please do not consider this as a political piece, for Paul’s Epistle is written to people who desire to be under the Law again. It’s simply easier to know what is acceptable and what is not when there is a law to follow. And therein lies the problem: it’s difficult to “police” one’s self. And it’s very difficult when all around us are evil doers. I would be remiss if I did not remind you all that even within the peaceful religion of Buddhism, there is a militant element of them that persecutes non-Buddhists, and practices the caste system in their culture, persecuting the lower castes, even confining them to limited regions.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” - Matthew 5:16

This is why evangelism is so important as an out-working of our faith, rather than an in-working of the Law.

Bobservations' Column:  Audio Version

Sunday Morning Message:

Galatians 5:1-15 - "A Little Leaven"

Summary/Additional Commentary & Definitions:

Galatians chapter 5 is packed with powerful truths about living in the freedom Christ gives us. In this chapter, Paul contrasts the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit.

He urges believers to walk by the Spirit and not gratify the desires of the flesh. When we live by the Spirit, we’ll experience love, joy, peace, and other wonderful qualities in our lives.

Paul reaches the climax of this epistle, stating what can properly be called the theme of his letter: "Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage."  He follows with dire warnings about the consequences of seeking to be circumcised and justified by the Law. He then reminds them that the hope of righteousness is for those who through the Spirit eagerly wait for it with a faith working through love.

The next few verses continue with warnings about allowing others to hinder their progress, with Paul's harshest words reserved for those trying to impose circumcision. Yet Paul does not want anyone to think that liberty in Christ means license, and encourages them to use their liberty in order to serve one another in love. The two-fold benefit of this proper use of liberty is that one actually fulfills the Law, and at the same time does not give the flesh an opportunity to cause them to bite and devour one another.

Let’s jump into Galatians 5 together and discover how to embrace the liberty we have in Christ. We’ll explore what it means to walk by the Spirit and see the life-changing results that come from living under grace instead of the law.


Sunday Morning Audio Message:

Key Words and Definitions with Reference:

Stand Fast (5:1) - means to remain tightly secured.  Paul is compelling the Galatian church, and all believers, to dig in their heels and remain consistent as they face hardship, danger, persecution, and conflict. Paul calls fellow believers to “stay true to the Lord” (Philippians 4:1).  We are free from the law and the flesh as a way of salvation and we are to walk in the freedom of His grace by living in the Spirit.

Free (5:1) - Deliverance from the curse that the law pronounces on the sinner who has been striving unsuccessfully to achieve his own righteousness (3:13, 22-26; 4:1-7). Now that the believer has embraced Christ and the salvation that is given by God through His grace.

Entangled Again (5:1) - means to be "burdened" again by a yoke we cannot carry.

Yoke of Bondage (5:1) - A yoke is a wooden crosspiece fastened over the necks of two animals and attached to a plow or cart. A yoke allows two animals to share a load and pull together. Yokes were used in Bible times primarily with bulls or oxen to plow fields and pull wagons. The animals yoked together needed to be close in size and weight for the cart or plow to pull evenly.  In the Bible the yoke is sometimes referenced metaphorically to describe the weight of a task or obligation.  The Jews referred to the "yoke of the law" as a good thing, the essence of true religion.  Paul argued that for those who pursued it as a way of salvation, the law was a yoke of slavery.

Circumcised (5:2) - Paul is not saying nobody should ever be circumcised, or that circumcised people cannot be Christians. This comment is specifically given in the context of a group of false teachers, the Judaizers, who pressured new non-Jewish Christians to be circumcised in order to be welcomed into God's family. These Galatian men likely did not know what to do. After all, every Hebrew in the Old Testament got circumcised. Even Jesus was circumcised under the law!  Paul's point is that either salvation is through faith in Christ alone, or it is through circumcision and the law. It cannot be both.

Christ . . . Profit You Nothing (5:2) - The atoning sacrifice of Christ cannot benefit anyone who trusts in law and ceremony for salvation.

Justified (5:4) - attempting to be justified by the law, rather than by faith in Christ, leads to separation from Christ and a rejection of God's grace.

Estranged from Christ . . . Fallen From Grace (5:4) - to be "separated" or "severed."  The word for fallen means "to lose one's grasp on something."  Paul's clear meaning is that any attempt to be justified by the law is to reject salvation by grace alone through faith alone.  Those once exposed to the gracious truth of the gospel, who then turn their backs on Christ (Hebrews 6:4-6) and seek justification by the law are separated from Christ and lose all prospects of god's gracious salvation.  Their desertion of Christ and the gospel only proves that their faith was never genuine.

The Hope of Righteousness (5:5) - Believers already possess the imputed righteousness of Christ, but they still await the completed and perfected righteousness that is yet to come at glorification (Romans 8:18, 21). 

Neither Circumcision . . . Uncircumcision (5:6) - Nothing done or not done in the flesh, even religious ceremony, makes any difference in one's relationship to God.  What is external is immaterial and worthless unless it reflects genuine internal righteousness (Romans 2:25-29).

Faith Working Through Love (5:6) - Saving faith proves its genuine character by works of love.  The person who lives by faith is internally motivated by love for God and Christ (Matthew 22:37-40).  True faith manifests itself in reverent worship, genuine obedience and self-sacrificing love for others.

You Ran Well (5:7) - Like a runner in a race, the Galatians began well in receiving the gospel message by faith and begun to live out that faith as believers in Christ. 

Obey the Truth (5:7) - A believer's true way of living in response to the true gospel message and in response to obeying the Word of God in our sanctification.

This Persuasion (5:8) - Paul is talking about salvation by works.  No where in the gospel to God promote legalism.  Christ is all-sufficient.  Nothing can be added to what He has done for us. 

Leaven (5:9) - In scripture, leaven denotes sin because its permeating power.  

Confidence In You (5:10) - Paul declares he is confident "in the Lord" that the Galatians will not ultimately accept this false teaching. God has given Paul confidence to believe the Galatians will get back up and keep running in the right direction together.

Judgement (5:10) - All false teachers will incur strict and devastating eternal condemnation.

Still Preach Circumcision (5:11) - The fact that the Judaizers were persecuting him rather than supporting him is clear that Paul agreed with their false teaching about circumcision be necessary for salvation.

Liberty (5:13) - Paul has spent most of this letter to the Galatians calling them to live in the freedom that comes with faith in Christ. With His own blood, Christ has purchased for those who trust Him a freedom from slavery to our sinfulness under the law. We are forgiven. We don't need to toil under the harsh burdens of the law (Galatians 3:23–29).

Opportunity for the Flesh (5:13) - The word "flesh" here refers to sinful inclinations of fallen man.  The freedom believers have is not a base from which they can sin freely and without consequence.

Serve One Another (5:13) - Believers freedom is not for selfish fulfillment, but for serving others. 

All the Law (5:14) - The ethics of the OT law are the same as those of the NT gospel as indicated in the quote from Leviticus 19:18.  When a believer genuinely loves others, he fulfills all the moral requirements of the Mosaic Law concerning them.  This is the ruling principle of Christian freedom.  

Bite and Devour One Another (5:15) - The imagery is of wild animals savagely attacking and killing each other - a graphic picture of what happens in the spiritual realm when believers do not love and serve one another.