My dad who is 91 is having a pacemaker implanted today. We’d appreciate your prayers.
Our scripture this morning is Galatians 5:14-16.
For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another. So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.
Leviticus 19:18 says “Love your neighbor as yourself”, reminding us that God has been telling us this for a very long time. Jesus gives us this command in person (Matthew 22:39, Mark 12:31). Jesus taught that loving one another is as important as loving God. Indeed, we can’t love Him truly if we don’t also love one another.
Paul warned the Galatians “but if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out!” Sadly, we have disobeyed God’s commands and mistreated each other since the very beginning. Jesus came to show us there is a better way to live, caring for God’s creation and each other.
Today, when something foolish like a political or religious post triggers us, may we pause and ask God for guidance before responding, or even better, choosing not to respond. Many of our issues come from joining arguments we could easily avoid. As Paul says, then we won’t be doing what our sinful nature craves.
Loving Lord, we are sorry for the times we have mistreated each other and forgotten Your love. Help us to see You in each of our brothers and sisters and love them as You first loved us all. Amen.
