LOVING THY NEIGHBOR
Galatians 5:13-26 NKJV-[13] For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through Love serve one another. [14] For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall Love your neighbor as yourself.” [15] But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! [16] I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. [17] For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. [18] But if the Spirit leads you, you are not under the law. [19] Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, [20] idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, [21] envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. [24] And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. [25] If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. [26] Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
https://bible.com/bible/114/gal.5.13-26.NKJV
Sometimes, it’s easier to Love our neighbors than it is to Love our loved ones, our co-workers, employers, and those whom we serve alongside for the Kingdom of God. Love should be in everything we do, even outside of the church building. It’s easier to Love strangers because you can bless them, warm their hearts, and your heart is filled with gratitude that God Almighty used you to bless them, and then be on your way, possibly never seeing them again.
Yes, we all like that warm fuzzy feeling inside, but what about loving those who have wounded you with a stroke of their tongue, or treated you with indifference, or been dismissive of your feelings after they spoke harshly to you without even considering your efforts for their comfort and peace?
This is where the flesh wants to vindicate itself, where the ego stands up and wants to tear down. It is best to stay silent and walk away. Don’t fall victim to the deeds of darkness or the flesh. The flesh is not obedient to Christ. The enemy of God will kill, steal, and destroy everything God has placed in you so far. We are at a crossroads where we need to decide to crucify the flesh and walk in the Spirit of God through Christ, but we can’t do this alone; this is the impossibility Jesus talks about. Yes, these are the ones we are called to Love Today.
In Today’s word, Paul is talking to the body of Christ; he is talking to the family of God to quit devouring one another and show the same Love God showed us when He was hanging on the Cross, and He said, “Forgive them, for they know not what they do.” There is strife in the body of Christ; there are Koras among us who are causing division in the Church. LORD, humble them and give them the gift of repentance; the Church to Christ, not man.
Heavenly Father, You are the Creator of all Creation, and even the breath in our lungs is from You. We look like grasshoppers when You look down from Your heavenly throne. Like flowers, we bloom until the scorching sun dries up their leaves and the wind blows them away. Let us remember who we are and WHO YOU ARE.
Forgive us, LORD, for our sins against You and one another. Forgive us, and silence those who are causing strife and discord within Your Church. Let us humble ourselves before Your Throne of Grace, and seek Your will above all else. Help us by Your Spirit to Love as You Love. You are Love; let Your Perfect Love cast out all our fears. Let Your Perfect Love guide us in everything we do and say. Heal us by the stripes on Your Body as You hung on the Cross for us. Remind us of our fragility, but through Christ, Your Son, even this is possible. Let us Love and walk in Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen