Galatians 5
Living a life in Christ – filled with grace and forgiveness – is an extraordinary freeing experience. But this is not the kind of freedom that an immature person seeks.
In my immature moments I seek a freedom from responsibility, a freedom from challenge, a freedom from restriction. I want to do whatever I want and be whatever I feel. But that is not what Paul is talking about in our scripture.
Paul is not talking about freedom from but freedom to. In Christ we are set free from the limitations of fear, of doubt, of a slavery to destructive habits so that we would serve others in Jesus’ name.
The key verse in this passage is Galatians 5:13: “As for you, my friends, you were called to be free. But do not let this freedom become an excuse for letting your physical desires control you. Instead, let love make you serve one another.”
That is why service of others is a spiritual discipline that coaches us towards spiritual maturity. Over the last several weeks we have noted how effective spiritual leadership is built on faithfulness to daily disciplines of prayer, Bible study, worship – both corporate and private, and service. We are set free to serve one another.
When asked what the most important thing to remember was; Jesus said the most important commandment was to love God with everything you have and everything you are. Then he quickly continued by noting that the second most important commandment was like the first. “Love your neighbor as yourself.” In this way we demonstrate our love for God in the way that we care for our neighbor.
John Wesley would have considered personal holiness – love for God – and social holiness – love for neighbor – to be two sides of the same coin. Which side is most important? Well, frankly a coin minus one side is fairly worthless. Both sides are needed. Our relationship with God fuels our compassion for neighbor and our love for neighbor drives us closer to God.
However, beware! Some who claim to practice service may have a different motive in mind. Check out Philippians 2:1-18. What are the characteristics of Jesus’ service in this passage? What is the motivation of true service?
Let me suggest two forms of service. First, service becomes a lifestyle. It begins to form and reform the ways we live. For example, if we are seeking to live a servant lifestyle such as we see described in Philippians 2:1-18, we will complain less. We will be less attentive to insisting on what we want or think we deserve. If we seek to care for others as Jesus describes in Matthew 25:31-46; then we will be more sensitive to persons who are in need. We will recognize more quickly those who lack resources, or access, or understanding on how to cope with life’s difficult issues. Servanthood changes the way we live on a daily basis.
Secondly, practicing the spiritual discipline of service means intentionally creating opportunities to do things for others in Jesus’ name. There is no limit on how creative these possibilities can be. What are the spiritual gifts God has planted within you? (We’ll talk more about this in a few weeks.) What are the passions you have for others’ needs?
If I have the skills and gifts of music, and a passion for people with disabilities; I would look for opportunities to use music with people who face disability. If I have the skills to fix things and a passion for older people, there are lots of programs that try to match volunteers with the needs of seniors. Where do your gifts intersect with what you care about and the opportunities available to you?
Several in our church have recently started a new ministry called Grub at the Grove. Once a month they feed a good hot meal to anyone who walks in the door. After the last event, a couple of them told me that they found themselves asking the question, “Who is supposed to get the most out of this? Them or us?”
The answer? Both! In God’s economy there is great joy in serving others and sharing God’s love. Others are blessed because they are reassured that God will provide for their needs. We are blessed because God’s Spirit of grace has flowed through us to another.
It is not about us. It is all about what God wants to do through us!
Have you had some experiences where you sensed God was using you to answer someone else’s need or prayer? What did that feel like? How did that opportunity tap into your gifts and graces as well as your passion and caring?
