Scripture:
Galatians 5:13-15 ESV
[13] For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love, serve one another. [14] For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” [15] But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.
Observation:
There is honestly not much I can say this morning about this scripture. I think it explains itself pretty well, but I felt it necessary to take a quick look at it. The freedom that is being spoken about. Is a freedom from being a slave to sin. The first verse in this chapter says everything we need to know about it. Paul starts out by saying, “Do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. ” The slavery he is talking about is sin. Once you have broken free from its bounds, don’t return to it. He brings that back to life in verse 13 when he tells us, “Don’t use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh but through love serve one another.” Then getting to the idea behind the law. He tells us the principles that are between the lines… LOVE. That’s how the law is fulfilled. That being said, Paul in 1 Corinthians chapter 13 gives us a picture of what love looks like. 1 John 4:18 tells us that fear and love are not part of each other. I could go in so many directions with this. That’s why I love scripture so much. GOD’S word is so full of truth that you just can’t find an end to it. Love is selfless. It looks like serving others.
Application:
I could see that there was no way to stay out of the application of this scripture. The early church had it figured out. As I serve with a few different ministries, I can see that there are some that do as well. Serving others is the key to living a life that is fulfilling. Listen, I don’t want to starve. So why… if I had the ability, would I not feed my neighbor? Christ gave us the best example of love, HE put aside HIS life for the sake of others fulfilling the law. How amazing, what a gift. How can we not look at HIS example and not see what it means to love our neighbor as we love ourselves? As I say often, my life is not my own. It was paid for by the priceless blood of GOD’S only son who took off HIS outer garments wrapped HIMSELF with a towel and washed the feet of the men HE was leading. Let us get away from the me me me that the world tries to tell us is necessary and turn our focus to others.
Prayer:
Father, we want to be selfless. Help us to see where we can lay down who we are for the sake of others. This life is not about us. We want it to reflect you. Lead every step. Every move we make. Allow us to show your love to those whom you put in our path today it’s in the mighty name of Jesus we pray, amen.