Devotional - Aug. 28, 2024

Scripture: Galatians 5: 13-15  You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.  For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

Erich Fromm wrote a book a while back called Escape From Freedom.  Long story short, he makes the argument that people start making rules the minute they are given absolute freedom.  They can't handle the feeling of being totally free, it scares them.  They need the security that rules and regulations give them.  They need things to be defined for them, even to a fault.  As disturbing as his book is, it makes some good points about human behavior.  Good, but disappointing.  Paul is trying to appeal to this community by way of the Gospel.  Remember, the Lord did not suggest loving your neighbor as yourself.  He gave it as a commandment (John 13:34-35).  As I've said many times before in these devotionals, when we honestly seek to treat others with the same respect and dignity we ask for ourselves, the results are goodness and peace.  What an amazing society it creates and it is the society found in the Kingdom of God.  Problem is, where do we find it in our society?  We are surrounded by something quite different.  Someone insults someone else, or they feel disrespected by others, and they retaliate.  On and on it goes, escalating.  The only stopping point being ...where?  When one does irreparable harm to the other?  Hate to say it, but that happens and is happening; even in our nation, even in our churches.  We have lost so many churches due to the way people have behaved toward one another.  Notice I did not say, "our", churches.  The church is not ours (Colossians 1: 18-20).  We are here as recipients of grace (Ephes 2:8-9).  As recipients, we are blessed by God and we are to be a blessing.  But some folks do not know how to behave regardless of their age.  They do not know what love really is and it shows in their behavior.  Paul is about to address this topic in depth, so for now, let's stay with the point of our text.  The way of Christ's church is found in His command to love one another.  Are we perfect at doing it?  No, but Paul warns us not to let that be an excuse.  The repercussions of our actions can destroy everything.  That may not have been our intent, but by the time all is said and done..., it is the result  Yet, in our church we have a great opportunity to live and show the love of Christ (our Creator and Redeemer) to others.  When people are treated well, it can be just as contagious as it's counterpart.  Sometimes it takes work (Romans 12:21), but it is worth it. 

Pray with me...,  Holy God, sometimes we let our own ambitions corrupt us.  Our feelings get hurt and we forget about others.  Restore a right spirit within us by the power of Your Spirit.  Help us to be the church You call us to be.  Hear us as we pray for our loved ones.  We ask Your blessing upon them, in Jesus' name, Amen.  

God's peace,

Pastor Brian