Together in Christ: 'Freed to Serve Like Jesus' — Galatians 5:13-14

Friday, July 14, 2023

For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
— Galatians 5:13-14 NLT

Key Thought

Imagine how glorious life would be if everyone who truly realized they were free in Christ used that freedom to serve someone else? Jesus died to demonstrate and create a new Kingdom culture of loving and sacrificial service. [1] As Jesus' followers, we are a "freed to serve" family! How do we know? In addition to Paul's unambiguous message to the Galatians in our relationship verse for today, think about these other passages:

  • Jesus demonstrated His love to His disciples on the night of betrayal by washing their feet, knowing they were about to betray, deny, and abandon Him. [1] He served them knowing that He had all power and was returning to the Father. [2]
     
  • Jesus prayed for His disciples to be unified in love shortly before He was arrested. [3] He knew the people of the world would discover that the Father had sent Him only if His followers unified in love. [4]
     
  • When we are set free from sin, death, and hell, we focus our hearts on Jesus and reflect the Lord's glory as we are transformed to be like Him by the power of the Holy Spirit. [5]
     
  • With Jesus as our hero, Savior, and model, we choose to serve others rather than seeking to be served. [6]
     

Freedom for a follower of Jesus means we are free from worrying about our future, status, and importance. Those are all in God's hands. Because of this freedom, we can choose to love others as Jesus has loved us and serve them as Jesus has served us. This freed-to-serve lifestyle is how people recognize us as Jesus' disciples. [7]

[1] Philippians 2:1-11.
[2] John 13:6-38.
[3] John 13:1-5.
[4] John 17:20-26.
[5] John 17:21, 23.
[6] 2 Corinthians 3:17-18.
[7] Mark 10:35-45.
[8] John 13:34-35.

Today's Prayer

Father, open my heart to the astounding truth of my freedom in Christ. Holy Spirit, conform my heart to be like Jesus' heart. Open my eyes to the ways I can serve others and bless them as they seek to walk in the light of their freedom in Christ. In His name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Philippians 2:5-11; Mark 10:35-45
  • John 13:1-35

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Illustration

Illustration of Galatians 5:13-14 NLT — For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

About This Devotional

Together in Christ is a daily devotional that focuses on what Scripture teaches about godly living in relationships.

'Together in Christ' is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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