Galatians 5
March 29 2022
“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.’” (v13-14)
Christ died and rose again for our forgiveness and freedom. Not a freedom to sin, though, but a freedom to serve. Whereas before Christ, we were slaves under the dominion of sin’s power, locked in a life of selfishness - now with Christ, we have been set free to look to the needs of others and to serve them more than we serve ourselves.
Father, I praise You - not only for saving me from my sin, but for setting me free from my selfishness. I confess that I still slip into “indulging the sinful nature” (v13), and so often seek to serve myself. But I can also testify to how you’ve worked in me over the past 30+ years to make me a person who loves others more than I used to. Continue to transform me to “live by the Spirit” (v16), to exhibit the “fruit of the Spirit” (v22), and to “keep in step with the Spirit” (v25). After all, the Spirit is the Source of true freedom, and the One who empowers me to love and serve others.
— Pastor Joshua Brooks
Use the following steps to guide your daily time with the Lord…
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Start with prayer. Ask God to open your heart to help you understand and receive His Word.
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Read and observe the passage carefully. As needed, read a second Bible version to help with understanding.
➡️ What does it say?
What does this passage teach me about God? What does it say about my sinful nature and my need for God’s grace? How does this passage point to Jesus?
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➡️ What am I going to do about it?
Does this passage include a promise to claim, an action/attitude to avoid/embrace, or a principle to apply? How can this truth apply to my life? What could my next step be? How can I share this with others? Is there a verse or section of Scripture I need to memorize?
