Our scripture this morning is Galatians 5:13-15 (NIV).
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.
Losing our unity leads to destruction. We have seen this time again throughout history. We seem to forget the love we are commanded to show to one another. In His Sermon on the Mount Jesus tells us “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12).
Christian author Mark Norton writes “If we fail to use love as our guide for action, the inevitable result is conflict among believers.” This is what Paul meant when he told us “If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.” How we treat each other is how we can expect to be treated.
Notice none of this is about how we are treated, only about how we treat others. Poor treatment does not allow us to respond in kind. That is the human reaction! Jesus shows us a better way to live and love, as He first loved us.
Gracious God, in Your mercy You sent Jesus to save us. Help us to see the blessing of Your love poured out for us and offer the same blessing of love to all our brothers and sisters. Amen.
