I mean, what if I believed that? I mean really believed it? What if I let those words change my actions inside and out? What would look different about how I structure my day and my free time?
Let me give you some context around this verse. Paul was a missionary to Galatia. He taught the Galatians that faith comes through Jesus Christ alone, that there is nothing more that we can do to ensure salvation. The some Galatia accepted his words and believed in Jesus.
But after Paul left, some other Jewish-Christians came around and started teaching that followers of Christ must obey the Old Testament Law, which started with male circumcision (if you don't know what that is, ask your mother). Jews were instructed by God to circumcise all who were in His family and nation, so these Christians thought that law should be practiced by Jesus followers, which, by the way, Jesus happened to be Jewish.
So the Galatians started to buy into this and circumcised their men and started following the Old Testament Law, which went against what Paul was preaching. They believed that the only way to please God was to follow the Law. But Paul said that Jesus has already paid the price, that God's wrath against sin was already pleased through Jesus' sacrifice, and that there was no more work that needed to be done.
So Paul Got mad. Take a moment to read the entire chapter of Galatians 5. Don't worry, I'll wait.
Still waiting...
Seriously, go do it now!!!
So Paul affirms that nothing else really counts except "faith expressing itself through love." But then he turns gears a bit. He tells them not to use their "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.'"
I think to fully understand this, we have to understand that there are two entities we are called to love:
- Love God. When we have a love for God it changes our priorities. It changes how we behave. It changes what we think is good and pleasing. It causes us to act differently than we otherwise would because we want to please Him.
- Love others. This was a huge one for Jesus. Your love for others will show your love for God. In other words, how you love others is how you love God (check out 1 John if you don't believe me).
So we are called to have faith which will be expressed through love. And that love is a love that serves. It's not a freedom that indulges self.
Here are two questions to answer on the blog.
- How does your love for God inform how you act? In other words, what changes in you or your behavior because of your love for God?
- What are some specific ways you can love those in your family more? What kinds of behavior and actions would show the love of Christ to them?
- What are some specific ways you can love others around you (school, sports, band, drama, work, etc...)? How can you show them the love of Christ?
1. Well my love for God helps me not to get too frustrated when someone asks me to do something for them. For example tonight at work the other dude I was working with was way behind on schedule so he asked if I could help him with things and instead of telling him no it's not my responsibility I helped him get caught back up to where he needed to be.
ReplyDelete2. Instead of getting mad when I'm asked to do something at home I could just go do it. I eventually would have to do it anyways so what would it matter if I get mad. I could also just randomly do chores around the house.
3. I could show people the love of Christ in the school activities I have by just not discriminating anyone or leaving them out. I could help include them or help them with something. I could help them not feel so left out.
1. My love for God informs others that I love him and my behavior changes because of how I pray. I pray at home mostly but once in a while I will pray in my head at school.
ReplyDelete2. I can do things without being asked and be more helpful. I could also try to be more clean.
3. I can show people the love of Christ by cheering them on in track or helping them out in school. Furthermore I can tell the kids that I referee they are doing a good job.
1. My love for God informs how I act because it helps me to not lose my tmeper, and I remember that being mean or rude is not how Jesus would show love.
ReplyDelete2. I can be nicer to my sisters, and when I am called downstairs for something I can go right away instead of waiting until it is convenient for me.
3. I can show those around me love by being encouraging and cheerful with them. I can also take time to listen to what someone has to say even if no one else is.
1. My love for God helps to make me a better person. It helps me to understand people better and to help people when they need it. It helps me to remember to act like Jesus.
ReplyDelete2. I can show love to my parents by doing things before they ask it. For example cleaning the house or just making dinner seems to help them out a lot.
3. I can be more polite and show them that if you love God it doesnt just change you it changes the people around you.
1. My love for God makes me think a lot before I do something. It makes me a better listener for people that need to talk either about Jesus or just things going on in their lives. It helps me be more of a gentlemen also.
ReplyDelete2. Some things I could do to show Christ to my parents and to show the love I have for them are not talk back as much or do things even when I'm not asked to do them or just be the best son I can be. I can make my mom coffee every morning because she loves coffee and make tea for my dad. My parents are already pretty strong Christians, but I think that would still show the love of Christ to them.
3. I can do things for them like help them out when they need it or if they are struggling just lend them a helping hand. I could talk to them about Christ and tell them that he loves them and maybe that could lead to other things in the future like going to your church or who knows what. Also you could invite them to your church. Just smiling at someone could show them love. And just overall be a great person for Christ.
My love for God helps me control my attitude. There are times when I don't do a very good job at holding my tongue, but I know through my love for God I don't have as many negative reactions.
ReplyDeleteA specific way I can show love to those in my family is having an open ear. I can listen to them when they talk about their days at work and ask them questions about it. I can show God's love in this way by being genuinely interested in what they are talking about. I need to clear my head of everything else that is going on in my life and realize I need to take some time for others.
A specific way I can show love to others around me at work is not get upset when a customer is annoying. I know that my coworkers look at me somewhat differently than everyone else because I am a Christian. I need to be a good example of God's love for them to see. Another way I can show God's love to others is through sports. A big part of athletics is my attitude. I need to have a positive, encouraging attitude on the field that cheers everyone up.
1. My love for God informs how I act because it helps me be patient with people and helps me help others.
ReplyDelete2. To show love to my family I can help them without them to ask and be nicer to my sister.
3. I can show the love of Christ to others by being kind to them and encourage people I see having difficult time.