It’s funny: Paul can wax eloquent about some of the deepest and most complicated subjects, and then at other times he has a gift for such simplicity. We see this marvelous simplicity in Galatians 5 when he sums up the entire law in one command:
“Love your neighbor as yourself.” (5.15)
This is Paul’s point in the latter half of Galatians. We are free from the law and from the power of sin. But we are not to use that freedom selfishly, wastefully, but to serve one another. This is the supreme mark of a heart that has been set free by the gospel. How well do you love others?
Paul says when we follow our own selfish natures, we begin to have all kinds of relational problems: “hostility, quarreling, jealously, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division” (5.20).
But when we keep in step with God’s Spirit, the Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (5.22-23). Once again, most of these are relational characteristics. Because a person who truly gets the gospel isn’t just changed in isolation. The way they think about and relate to people changes as well.
If you belong to Christ, you are free today. How are you using your freedom?
Use your freedom to serve others in love. Selfishness is the worst slavery.
Only in self-giving does the heart truly remain free.
Lord, please transform the way I relate to other people. Help me to use my freedom to serve and build up the people around me. Amen.
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