Our scripture this morning is Galatians 5:13-14 (NLT).
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.”
I feel our friends at bible.com have shared this passage several times already this year. In scripture when something is repeated multiple times it usually means it’s pretty important. Sadly, it also means that we as humans rarely get the lesson without numerous repetitions.
Paul warns us against using our freedom “to satisfy your sinful nature.” We must be careful not to abuse the gift we have been given by abusing each other. What we have been given also comes with a responsibility: we must share the Gospel with the world, no matter how the world treats us.
Through Christ’s sacrifice for us we are now free from the guilt and shame of sin. We are called to love God, love neighbor and make disciples. This is not out of obligation, but a joyful response to the gift of salvation we have been given.
Gracious God, we are sorry for the times we have harmed one another out of selfishness. Forgive us and send us to love as You do and tell the Good News to everyone. Amen.
