Galatians 5:13 "For you have been called to live in freedom -- not freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, but freedom to serve one another in love"
At the time this letter was written, certain Jewish Christians, known as Judaizers, were intent on making sure new gentile (non-Jewish) Christians were following portions of the Jewish law. The Judaizers believed that in order to be a true Christian, you had to still be partially Jewish and adhere to the law. They were wrong! Paul writes this letter to the young gentile Christians in Galatia and explains that they are to live in freedom from the law-not freedom to do as they pleased, but freedom to love one another.
Jesus has freed me from my sins so that I can serve him and love others. In fact, Jesus took things a step farther and freed me from even having to pay for my sins, so that I can serve others. Before Jesus came, you had to continually offer sacrifices and participate in certain rituals and traditions to solve your sin problem. Think of all the time and energy that took! Now, my salvation and my forgiveness come from Jesus, leaving me to focus on serving others in love. Jesus wants me to stop focusing on my sin-he's got that-and focus instead on others. I love that! It's a major shift from focusing on myself and my problems (pretty selfish if you think about it) and instead focusing on others and serving them! Jesus frees us to be less self centered and more "others centered!" It's a cool thing. Today, I will serve others in love. Yep, that's what I'll do 'cuz I'm free to do so!
Dear Jesus, thank you for the forgiveness and freedom you have given me. Help me use my freedom to love others. Amen.
