Daily Worship

Not just ‘free from…’, but ‘free for…’

John Povey September 26, 2024 3 2
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Galatians 5: 13-15 (NRSVA)

13 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. 14 For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ 15 If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.

In these verses Paul now extends his thoughts on what freedom in Christ Jesus does for us. We are not just free from the constraints of the law. We are free for a reason.

If we are biting and devouring one another, then we are not serving one another through love. Antagonism and conflict are the results of loving self and self alone. We are not thinking about others if we are being difficult, or bringing division and strife. Such behaviour is like pressing the self-destruct button.

Loving your neighbour as yourself is wanting something for them as much as you want it for yourself, and reaching out your hand to help them find it. We cannot achieve such selflessness by ourselves. We find it when we realise we are fully loved, fully known, and fully provided for by our heavenly Father. He sets us free from infighting and free for flourishing together. The most free we will ever be is when we’re serving others out of the overflow of God’s abundant love for us.

Jesus died to demonstrate a new culture of loving and sacrificial service. As Jesus' followers, we are a "freed-to-serve" fellowship of people! How glorious life would be if everyone embraced that freedom to serve one another. Such a lifestyle is how people will recognise us as disciples of Jesus.

 

Prayer:

 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the freedom which comes from bathing in the light of Christ’s love. Thank you that in Him I am set free to serve, love, and connect with other people. Help me to live in holiness and grace to Your praise and glory, serving others through Christ's love, as I continue to abide in Him and He in me. In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.