Liberty or Love?
Week of July 19, 2020
Text: Galatians 5:13-14
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
The Book of Galatians was written by the Apostle Paul and is considered one of the most important books that Paul wrote. The above scripture selection highlights the importance our Father places on His children walking in love to one another. In Chapter 5 Paul is discussing liberty of the believer.
Civil liberty is assured to us by our governmental laws. Carnal liberty is when people obey neither the laws of God nor the laws of men but do as they please.
In Galatians Paul is speaking of a liberty that comes only through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Paul warns us to not use our Christian liberty to engage in the desires of our carnal flesh but rather to serve and love one another.
Martin Luther said it this way “In order that Christians may not abuse their liberty the Apostle encumbers them with the rule of mutual love that they should serve each other in love. Let everybody perform the duties of his station and vocation diligently and help his neighbor to the limit of his capacity.”
As Christ followers our salvation is not by works and only received by grace through faith in Jesus. But Paul reminds us that our salvation should have evidence and that evidence should come from our genuine love of the Father and desire to please Him. This should be evidenced by our service and love of one another.
Every other commandment is fulfilled through this one command to love our neighbor as ourselves. Godly love is an unconditional love that beckons us to bare one another’s burdens.
Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2
As Christ followers Paul shows us the true heart of God which is displayed and worked out through us, His children, on this earth in service to one another. In Romans Paul calls us God’s ambassadors. We are His hands and feet to a hurting world.
The love of the Father which is displayed through our lives is how the Father draws those who are lost to Himself and to salvation. Let us not miss opportunities to reach a hurting and lost world because we have prioritized our own carnal liberties over service and love to one another.
May the God of peace guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
XXOO,
Nancy
WWJ Newsletter-Liberty or Love
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