Our scripture this morning is Galatians 5:13-15.
For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. 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.
We have encountered this passage before not that long ago. I have been using the daily verse from The Bible App (bible.com) for several years now and while we sometimes roll our eyes at hearing the same message again, this warning is one we must heed if we are to be God’s children. Paul writes that we are to use our freedom “to serve one another in love.”
Some people in the first century expected a Messiah King who would free them from political oppression. Jesus didn’t come to lead us into battle against each other here on earth but to bring God’s kingdom to everyone. Some didn’t understand this and turned away from His teaching and His love because it wasn’t what they expected.
In 1 John 4:20 we read “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar.” If we refuse to love one another, we refuse God’s love. Jesus says we must love God AND our neighbor as ourselves. It’s not one or the other, it’s not conditional. Our relationship with God is based on how we treat one another.
Loving Lord, we are sorry for the times we fail to love each other as You have taught us. Bless us to go in Your name bringing Your love to everyone. Amen.
