Central Truth

In Galatians 5:1-15, the Apostle Paul stresses that we have been set free in Christ from sin AND the Jewish rites and customs. He stresses however, that such freedom is not a license to do as we please, but rather to live by a greater law: the law of love.

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Reflections

From 1984 to 1994 my wife and I traveled with Life Action Revival Ministries. Each year we led a team of 20+ collegians all across the U.S. and Canada conducting stage productions with music, drama, and multi-media. These programs strongly emphasized spiritual revival in our nation, families and churches. As you can imagine, our ministry had numerous rules and policies by which each team and team member had to abide. We traveled in buses, vans, motor homes, etc. five to six days a week, 10 months at a time. It was a great spiritual experience! 

One year, as we prepared in the summer to embark upon another trip, Steve Green came to our training facility for a day of ministry to our teams. While my wife and I accompanied him to his tour bus, I asked what rules he had for his family and team as they traveled together. I'll never forget what he said. "We only have one rule, the rule of love. If we will simply love each other as we love ourselves, as Christ loves us, there will never be a problem." How true! 

I believe this is much of what Paul is stressing in this passage. He was not advocating the freedom to do as we please at the expense of living a holy and Godly life. Rather he was simply saying, don't try to force the old Jewish rites and customs upon yourself or others. You've been set free from all of that, just as Christ set us free from sin's bondage. Paul maintains that the way to live out the Christian life is to obey the two greatest commands of all: love God and love your neighbor. If I love my neighbor with a Christ-like love, I'll never try to take advantage of someone. I won't want to be deceitful, harmful or unkind. Nor will I want my neighbor to suffer in any way at my hand, physically, spiritually or emotionally. Accordingly, the moral virtues of God's Word will be lived out in my life.

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Discussion Questions

1. Since the law of God can be summed up in the word "love", how is "love" being lived out in your life towards your neighbors (Note: Our neighbors are family, friends, co-workers, acquaintances and everyone we come in contact with on a daily basis.)?

2. In what ways does "love" need to be lived out in your life towards your neighbors?

3. Who is the hardest neighbor(s) for you to love and why? 

4. Would you be willing to share with a Godly friend your greatest struggle to love a neighbor? (Be specific and seek their prayers and accountability!)

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