Love Your Neighbor

Scripture: You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.  The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  Galatians 5:13,14 NIV

Observation: Paul sums up for the Galatians God’s law.

Application: Paul had dealt with Galatian troublemakers who had reintroduced the notion of the need for circumcision.  Paul had to reëducate them as to the futility of trying to be justified by the law. If they insisted on circumcision they were going to have to adhere to every single aspect of the law–an impossibility. Paul made that point and then instructed them that living by faith was living a life of love. Paul taught that we are to consider others before ourselves.  When we love our neighbors as ourselves we fulfill the law just as Jesus taught.

Prayer: Father, help me to love others. I want to honor you by the way I love my friends and neighbors. Help me to be a blessing to someone else today. Amen

Doug