Wednesday, October 19 – Galatians 5:13-14

For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

 

What were some rules in your house growing up? When we step out into the world, with the freedom to live as we please, there are some parts of our raising that we keep, but there are others that easily slip away. Stepping out on our own reveals what is important to us, what we prioritize, and how we are different and unique from the family we grew up with. Christ freed us from the bondage of legalism and the weight of the law when He died for us and restored us to God. This freedom is not a pass to do whatever we want or live in sin. Paul reminded the Galatian church in this passage this freedom is to serve one another through love.

 

Instead of using the law to point out fault in others or as a weight of shame for yourself, you are free from that bondage. God has given you this new freedom to serve others. When you consider living out your faith, is it your priority to love your neighbor as yourself or simply to live “correctly”? So many people chase after what they can never catch but you have been given freedom and joy in Jesus. God has lavished His love on you so that you can share with others, telling them through every act of service who He is and how He loves them.

 

• When has someone served you selflessly? How did that impact your life?
• What would it look like to have a daily focus to love your neighbor? What in your life would change? What would stay the same?
• Pray and thank God for the freedom we have through Him. Ask Him to equip you to love your neighbor as yourself.