Scripture: Galatians 5:13-18
13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. 14 The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. 16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
Observation:
We are called to freedom but not to indulge our sinful nature. We are called to serve one another in love.
Application:
Interestingly enough, what sounds so simple in a statement can be somewhat complicated in application. All we have to do is love our neighbor as ourselves and serve one another in love. If we would make the application of the truth as simple at the statement of truth, we would be able to live much less stressful lives, as well, as have more peace. Many times we find it difficult to even like someone, much less love them with their attitudes and imperfections. The truth is we should love our neighbor as God loves us and serve one another with that same love. We can not continue to let our emotional reactions stop us from extending God’s love to all. God still loves us even though we are not perfect. We should love and serve those around us even though they are not perfect.
Prayer:
Father, help me to love those around me more each day. Help me to love them with your love that you give me through Christ Jesus. Help me to serve others in love and not grudgingly – not by obligation but by the love you put in my by your Holy Spirit.
Help me, Father, to fulfill your purpose for me in love.