GIF Serve One Another

“You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.”

(Galatians 5:13 NIV)

Serve One Another
by Chuck Bentley

One of the defining marks of the early church was the concern its members had for one another. Acts 4:32 says, “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had” (NIV).

God’s plan for us is to serve one another, but in too many cases, believers seek their own interests, pitting themselves against others even within the church. This leads to division as fellow members choose one or another person’s side.

In Galatians 5:13, Paul warned believers not to use their freedom to indulge the sinful nature, because it is this type of indulgence that leads to conflict.

When one or more members allow their personal desires to take precedence over the Kingdom purposes of the church, the unity of the Body is destroyed. As James 4:1 says, “What causes fights and quarrels among you. Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?” (NIV).

Those who seek their own desires have fallen out of step with Christ, who noted that He “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28 NIV).

He set the ultimate example of service. We must follow, because fulfilling our own selfish desires can never justify the eternal consequences of a damaged church witness.

Daily Scripture Reading:
Ruth