We recently finished a short sermon series on the topic of love. When considering what the NT teaches it is natural to go to the Great Commandment in Matthew 22 and then to I Corinthians 13 and I John 3 - 5. And we spent two Sundays in I Corinthians 13. However the theme of love flows throughout the NT even in the book of Galatians.
In Galatians Paul battles against those who would lead Christians back to a life lived under the Law; those who started with grace and the Spirit but are being led astray into thinking that living the Christian life is about obeying the law and working hard to be a disciple.
Paul reminded them and reminds us that in Christ we are called to freedom but it is not a freedom to indulge our sinful desires; God frees us to become all that we ought to become; we are freed to love like He loves; we are freed "from" but also freed "to".
"What is important is faith expressing itself in love.--- 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." Galatians 5:6b, 13, 14
Divine love is revealed and shared with us through Christ and the Spirit. We have the privilege and the challenge of living out God's love in serving others. We express our faith by our love.
This theme runs so clearly through the Scriptures. Why is it that loving others is not the number one goal of every Christian? Jesus told his disciples that love for each other should be our distinguishing mark. (John 13:34,35) Yet still so many believers are better at bringing division rather than unity in the body of Christ. We are too often too skilled at the damaging gossip, the cutting remark, the critical attitude, the ego focused perspective that pushes people away from following Christ; that leaves hurt and wounded Christians inside and outside of our churches.
We must keep challenging each other: are we more loving than we were? Are we growing in love? Are we asking for God's help to love as He loves? Is this a priority for us? Are we, am I intentionally, consciously seeking to grow in love.
Of course we should be. We all know that. God's great love has set us free so that we can love others - how are we doing?
In Galatians Paul battles against those who would lead Christians back to a life lived under the Law; those who started with grace and the Spirit but are being led astray into thinking that living the Christian life is about obeying the law and working hard to be a disciple.
Paul reminded them and reminds us that in Christ we are called to freedom but it is not a freedom to indulge our sinful desires; God frees us to become all that we ought to become; we are freed to love like He loves; we are freed "from" but also freed "to".
"What is important is faith expressing itself in love.--- 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." Galatians 5:6b, 13, 14
Divine love is revealed and shared with us through Christ and the Spirit. We have the privilege and the challenge of living out God's love in serving others. We express our faith by our love.
This theme runs so clearly through the Scriptures. Why is it that loving others is not the number one goal of every Christian? Jesus told his disciples that love for each other should be our distinguishing mark. (John 13:34,35) Yet still so many believers are better at bringing division rather than unity in the body of Christ. We are too often too skilled at the damaging gossip, the cutting remark, the critical attitude, the ego focused perspective that pushes people away from following Christ; that leaves hurt and wounded Christians inside and outside of our churches.
We must keep challenging each other: are we more loving than we were? Are we growing in love? Are we asking for God's help to love as He loves? Is this a priority for us? Are we, am I intentionally, consciously seeking to grow in love.
Of course we should be. We all know that. God's great love has set us free so that we can love others - how are we doing?
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