Galatians 5:1,13-25 (NRSV)
Read Galatians 5:1,13-25 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 5For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Verse 13For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. Verse 14For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Verse 15If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. Verse 16Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. Verse 17For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. Verse 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. Verse 19Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, Verse 20idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, Verse 21envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Verse 22By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, Verse 23gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. Verse 24And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Verse 25If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.
Devotion
Sometimes we offer to help someone who is injured. A friend of mine stopped by to see someone who was injured and offered to mow his lawn. Though sometimes a sense of pride and self-sufficiency prevents us from asking for or accepting help, the one who was injured was so grateful and let my friend give the needed help.
Christ frees us to serve our neighbor. This freedom that he offers is not earned. It simply empowers us in ways other freedoms of this world cannot. With Christ’s freedom in tow we navigate the various ways of serving others.
In doing fundraisers for others, for example, we can notice the freedom of Christ’s love empowering people to defray the medical expenses of their fellow neighbors. People who walk in step with and by the power of the Spirit will see the needs of others and respond in helping ways.
Prayer
Good and gracious God, lead us by your Holy Spirit to serve others. As we walk by the Spirit we will be empowered to help. The freedom to do this comes from your Son, Jesus Christ, alone. Amen.
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