Issue 26 - Day 4

Galatians 5

Galatians 5:13-16
13)  For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
14)  For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
15)  But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
16)  This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Sometimes you wonder, when reading the bible, if you accidentally picked up a bad vampire novel. Since when do we go around biting and devouring each other! Fortunately Paul is encouraging us in our attitude toward each other. How often are you tempted to take a verbal bite out of a friend? If we start on that road then it all becomes one vicious circle with everyone trying to undermine and destroy the reputation and lives of each other. This is not of God, it is how the world works. We are instead called to love and serve one another.

In salvation we are freed from sin, we are freed from the law, and we are freed from judgement for our sins, though not the consequences of our actions. Sadly, many believers use that freedom to sin more. Paul says elsewhere, “Shall I sin more so that grace may abound? God forbid!” We are freed so that we can serve God, and each other. We are freed to be able to love one another.

What are you practically doing to serve and love your brothers in Christ? What are you doing to love your neighbour as yourself? Do you even know what their needs are? Talk to them, pray for them and act.