Day 30: I trust You, Lord. I will love. Galatians 5
Today's reading is another writing from Paul. He starts this chapter reminding the Galatians that they have been free from the yokes of the Mosaic Law and all the other extra traditions and fads the priest and religious sects placed on them. One being that circumcision is not required for salvation beacause Christ is all that's needed for salvation. These people were like the Israelites, wishing to go back to their old ways. It seems people everywhere are finding it easier to go back to their old ways. What about you? Can you hold on? Can you keep renewing your mind? Can you trust Him?
Verse 13 reminds us that we have freedom and can remain free.
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. Galatians 5:13-15 KJV
For the sake of paraphrasing, here's the amplified version.
For you, my brothers, were called to freedom; only do not let your freedom become an opportunity for the sinful nature (worldliness, selfishness), but through love serve and seek the best for one another. For the whole Law [concerning human relationships] is fulfilled in one precept, “Y OU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF [that is, you shall have an unselfish concern for others and do things for their benefit].” But if you bite and devour one another [in bickering and strife], watch out that you [along with your entire fellowship] are not consumed by one another. GALATIANS 5:13-15 AMP
Do you believe that if you love one another as you love yourself you won’t sin? Do you think that’s possible? Think of every sin you can think of. From the smallest white lie to murder, from adultery to homosexuality, from envy to gossiping, each sin due to either lack on love for yourself or love for another. Love is the key! It covers a multitude of sins.
And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8 KJV
We are all supposed to be of one body with different functions. Each part of the body needs the other parts to function. If one part is missing, the rest of the body will forever ‘miss’ this part. Have you heard people who have lost a limb complain that the area where the limb is missing still hurts? There is nothing there, but it still hurts. Amazing huh?
For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. James 3:16 KJV
That’s how the body of Christ is. If one does not do their part, the entire body suffers. When there is no cohesiveness in the work place, every department suffers. If the team cannot find a common goal, they will surely fail. If you do not love others as you love yourself, you will sin. It’s kind of like turning on yourself when you don’t love. And if you don’t love yourself, then how can you even began to love another?
The point of this reading has two fronts: 1.) you don’t have to turn back to your sinful ways and 2.) you won’t if you would simply learn to love. Not loving leads you to…
… Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like… Galatians 5:19-21 KJV
Our Father is a perfect example of love. Ask Him to reveal His love for you. In doing so you will learn to love yourself which will lead to love for others. Through this love, the commandment of loving will be fulfilled. That’s a lot of loving going on!
Love,
Keiyia JOYet George
Trust Walk: Walking in His Steps coming soon!