Service: An Unsung Gift of GodExemplo

Day 6: Freedom to Serve 

Someone who thinks they're free to do whatever they like, is likely to be difficult to live with, as they trample on others to get their own way. Even within sports, for example, when we describe our favourite players, we might say they play with great liberty. By that, we don't mean that they break the rules but that they perform beautifully and successfully within the rules. 

So, when we talk about freedom in Christ, we don't mean to say that we're free to grieve His Spirit who indwells us, by sinning against Him. God's laws aren't restrictive, they're beautiful. In summary, they are to love Him and to love others. 

Jesus makes clear in His parable of the good Samaritan that our neighbour is whoever we cross paths with. We are to love everyone we meet. We are to treat everyone how we would like to be treated. 

There is a sense in which God has given us free will. We could choose to sin, but why would we? Why would we bite and devour each other, as it were? Why wouldn't we love one another as Christ has loved us? 

'Heavenly Father, may we love You and one another as we ought. Forgive us for often being selfish, despite Your great love for us, and Christ's perfect example. In His name we pray, amen.' 

Why do you think God sets people free - to sin against Him, or to serve Him?