“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.” (Galatians 5:13 NIV)
Serve others with love.
In all things, we are to do them with love. Each of us are different; our differences are what make us valuable. Using our talents to serve others is freedom.
Eric Lidell was a British Gold Medalist in the 1924 Olympics. Liddell refused to run the 100-meter race because it was on Sunday. He ran the 400-meter race on a weekday and won. In 1925, he returned to the life of a missionary in China. When his sister challenged him for running instead of serving God, his reply is infamous. “I believe that God made me for a purpose. But He also made me fast, and when I run, I feel His pleasure.”
God made each of us for a purpose. When do you feel God’s pleasure in what you do? I feel God’s joy when I write. Each time I stretch myself, looking within my heart to find the words, He pushes and grows me. At the end of another month, I feel like another battle won.
Your purpose is God’s pleasure.
For me, I’ve always loved to write, but I haven’t pursued it until now. In second grade, I wrote my first “novel” for my mother. A picture book was her gift. Writing is something God created me to do. Therefore, I serve others by writing about God. My prayer is the same, “Lord, may my words help people love and know You.”
Misrepresentation of God is common in our world. People view Him as mean, uncaring, and judgemental. Why is that? Because people do things in His name that are mean, uncaring, and judgemental. They aren’t using the freedom they find in Christ to serve others in love. If Christ-followers loved others well, non-believers would love God.
Use your freedom to spread God’s love to the world.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23 NIV)
As followers of Christ, if we did everything by the fruit of the Spirit, people would love Him. But none of us do. All of us have moments where we are Spirit-led. If we are sincere, we probably miss more moments than we don’t. Our struggle with the flesh deters us from sharing God’s love with His people.
Eric Liddell won gold because he practiced. His God-given talent refined with his efforts. All athletes know, the more they practice, the better they become.
Practice:
Use your freedom wisely. Love others well. Serve them daily. Rinse and repeat.
Question of the Day:
What is your God-given gift you can use to serve others?
Further Reading: Isaiah 33:10-36:22 NIV, Galatians 5:13-26 NIV, Psalm 64 NIV, Proverbs 23:23 NIV
