Month: June 2019

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Galatians 5:13-26

In this passage of Paul’s letter to the Galatians, we learn much about the spirit we have been given, how its gifts are intended to be shared and behavior to avoid. Paul has laid out for us a list of dos and don’ts for our lives. This may seem like micromanagement to some, but that’s not how it is intended. Now instead of the minutiae of the law, we are given examples to follow and examples to avoid so that we may see the lessons and choose wisely.

Jesus came to teach us that it is time to grow up, to be responsible for our lives and our faith. His disciples continued this teaching and the presence of the Holy Spirit with us allows us to see what God would have us do, even when it would be easier to turn away. The gifts of the spirit give us the strength and hope we need to do what we are called to accomplish – make disciples of all the world.

Gracious God, since the very beginning You have trusted us with free will to choose for ourselves. May we trust You and choose Your ways, living as You intend for us, brothers and sisters in Christ. Amen.

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Galatians 5:25-26

Once again Paul encourages us to follow the spirit, living out our faith and not the “human nature” of the flesh. He points out a common behavior we exhibit and warns against thinking too highly of ourselves, comparing and desiring what others may have. It is a call to turn from the worldly things that can lead us to evil.

The statement “it’s just human nature” is a poor excuse for our poor choices. The human nature we received from God at our birth was to be made in His image, having the breath of life breathed into us. We were not created as competitors with each other but as God’s beloved children to live together in love.

Think about the common heritage we have in our Lord, how we are all connected and in need of one another. Let the spirit guide you in your interactions today and always, showing the world our true human nature, the brothers and sisters of Christ.

Loving Lord, we often forget our identity in You, and treat each other as if we were not related. Help us to see the family resemblance and live according to Your love and teaching. Amen.

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Galatians 5:24

We are confronted daily with many choices of worldly things and actions. While there is nothing wrong with people selling their goods or services, we seem to have become a society where needs are created rather than occurring naturally and this leads to desires that are not necessary.

God commanded us not to covet our neighbor’s property, but our social system leads us to want things for which we may have no real use. Often we fall into the trap of “they have one, so we must get one too!” This all comes under the heading of human desire, which can lead us away from God. Later in this letter, Paul writes “Don’t compare yourself with others. Just look at your own work to see if you have done anything to be proud of. You must each accept the responsibilities that are yours.”

We are all responsible for our thoughts and actions. When we allow the passions and desires Paul speaks of to direct us, we lose control of our lives. Giving up control to God is the only way to master the temptations the world presents. Let go and let God guide your life instead.

Wise and wonderful God, we are weak and easily led astray. Show us the path and the plan for our lives and deliver us from evil. Amen.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23

Paul lists the attributes that are displayed by spirit-filled people, godly behavior that lets others know we belong to Him. It is not just a matter of having these gifts, but sharing them, even in difficult times. The Spirit enables us to remain faithful when we face opposition.

Everyone is given these gifts, but how they are manifested in our daily lives differ by individual and circumstance. God calls us to use our gifts always and everywhere. As we mature in Christian love, we are better able to respond to trying human events with the gifts of the Spirit. When the world beats us down, we lift ourselves and others through these gifts.

When you are troubled today, instead of responding as the world does, use God’s gifts to you, showing the world that we are His, no matter what the situation. God has provided a way for us to deal with any issue as His children, if we let His Spirit shine through us.

Loving Lord, we know we will be challenged by events today. Help us to be the reflection of Your love, acting with the gifts of the Spirit and not merely human reaction. Amen.

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.
Galatians 5:16-17

God created us with the ability to choose our own actions, free will to decide how to live. God also gave us commandments to guide our behavior and made us responsible to Him and each other for the outcome. From the very beginning humans have misused this freedom.

In Genesis 3:6-7 we read of our first failure, choosing our desire in willful disobedience of God’s instruction. Yes, there was outside influence involved, but that only led to the second failure, blaming someone else for our mistakes. The sad story goes that God questioned Adam, who pointed to Eve, who pointed to the serpent, who had no arms and so couldn’t point to anyone else. The truth of this story is that we own our sin, no matter who we point to – the decision and the blame belong to us individually.

God, our loving creator, knows us and understands our failure. He stands ready to forgive our sin when we acknowledge our wrongdoing and turn to Him in repentance. He has seen the very best and worst we can be, and loves us in spite of all our poor choices. Take your mistakes to the Lord and He will take the burden from you. Let His loving spirit fill you and guide you to the life He intends for you.

Gracious God, we know we fall into error when we choose our own way. We regret our wrongs and want to be reconciled to You in love. Lead us, Lord; show us Your plan for our lives. Amen.

For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
Galatians 5:14-15

It sounds so simple, the Commandment to love each other – why is it so hard to put into practice? I don’t think most people consciously start their day saying “I’m going to hate others today”, like most of our failings it just happens.

Unfortunately it is because we are weak and let our human desires overcome what God has planned for us. We don’t seek the guidance we need daily from God, we rush blindly into a world that is all too ready to help our failings “just happen”. Our lack of connection to God results in a broken connection with others.

Paul writes to the Galatians in this passage that love is the key element of God’s creation and His relationship with us. In another letter, Paul tell us “the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13), and that truth is borne out in all our interaction with each other. If we love one another first, everything else will be much easier.

Loving Lord, we know You are the source of all love, the power behind creation and the very reason for our existence. Help us to love others as You first loved us, that all people may know a relationship with You. Amen.

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.
Galatians 5:13

Paul continues his lesson to the Galatians, explaining that just because we are free does not mean we can do whatever we want. There is an obligation for responsible behavior and care for others inherent in the freedom Christ has given us. As with all our gifts, we are called to use it wisely.

As followers of Jesus, our sins have been forgiven by His sacrifice. We are free from the oppression we were under when we lived in darkness. Now as children of the Light, we are expected to live as He did, sharing the Gospel with all the world and calling everyone back to a relationship with God.

Paul warns us all not to fall back into the bad habits we practiced before. A good friend of mine says “once you take out the trash, you don’t go pick it up again!” Paul teaches that our newfound freedom is intended to allow us to serve each other in love, as Jesus showed us. We are to treat everyone as family, as we are all brothers and sisters in Him.

Loving Lord, thank You for redeeming us from sin to be made whole again. Help us to find strength in our faith to resist temptation and love one another. Make us active servants of Your kingdom. Amen.

Being God’s children, and brothers and sisters in Christ, we are expected to be responsible to God and each other. We have been shown God’s law and His love, now we must use both in our daily lives to reach out to the world. This is what we were made for!

God has shepherded us as His beloved creation since the very beginning, nurturing and teaching us. Our own willful temperament often leads us to sin, separating us from God, but in His mercy there is always forgiveness and welcome for our repentant return. We must learn to forgive and welcome back those who have wronged us.

God is patient with us, and we must be patient with ourselves and each other, seeing the growth that He intends, learning to follow Jesus and share His truth with everyone. We are the tools He uses to build His kingdom, blessed and called to His service.

Eternal God, we are grateful that You forgive our sins and want us back as Your children. Help us to give You praise in all we do, loving those around us because You love them, and showing the world the joy of life in connection with You. Amen.

Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian. So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Galatians 3:23-29

In Galatians 3:23-29 Paul explains the concept of being justified by faith, that we are responsible to God and each other through our faith in Christ. He teaches that the law given by God was to protect us until the coming of Jesus, and now our faith in Him is the standard for our lives and our salvation.

He speaks of us being one in Christ, the concept that we are all equal as brothers and sisters in faith, without rank or position. Paul knows that our physical and social differences still exist, but he challenges us to live in Christ without regard to them, to accept one another and recognize what is most important – our common faith.

How are we living today as heirs of the promise made to Abraham? We have received the same call to obey God and be a blessing to the world. May we respond as faithfully as Abraham, accepting the gift and the responsibility our faith brings.

Loving Lord, we are grateful that You want to be in relationship with us and that You have made us with the ability to choose. Help us to make wise decisions, following the model Jesus taught, to love You and each other. Amen.

If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Galatians 3:29

In Genesis 12:1-3, we read about God’s call to Abram, asking him to follow in faith, and the promise that he would be blessed and through him all the earth would be blessed. That’s both a hard and wonderful thing. To leave everything you know for an uncertain future is difficult.

Because we know God and trust in His goodness, we are often in that situation. God always wants better for us, but we have to be willing to trust Him and let go of our human desire to control everything. Through faith, we are blessed to be brothers and sisters in Christ, and as Paul writes in today’s verse “heirs according to the promise”.

God has given us the same call and blessing given to Abram. When we follow God faithfully not only are we blessed but we become a blessing to others by our example. Go be the Lord’s representative to all the earth!

Gracious God, thank You for the blessing of relationship with You, and the call to go spread the Good News in our world. Make us strong for the task You have given, sharing Your love everywhere. Amen.