Paul

December 8

Galatians 5:1, 5-8, 13-15

Live by the Spirit

Paul wrote a letter to the Christians in Galatia to remind them of the simple message of being saved by faith and living by the Spirit—not by a set of rules.

“Christ set us free to enjoy perfect freedom in Him. Be careful that you don’t get yourselves tied up in the chains of slavery again. By faith you were freed from the chains that kept you tied to a set of rules and customs. What counts now is a faith that comes from your love for Him.

You were doing so well. Who made you stop walking in the way of Truth? It certainly wasn’t the Lord: He called you to a life of freedom! Don’t use your freedom to do wrong. Rather use it to love and serve others. For God’s rules are based on one command: Love others as you love yourself.”

How does the Spirit make the Christian life exciting?

Do you go to church only because you’re expected to go? Do you read your Bible only because you feel guilty if you don’t? When we don’t have a relationship with Jesus that is real, we could easily slip into a routine of ‘religious duties’ that become a heavy burden of boring rules.

Obviously it isn’t wrong for us to obey the rules God has given us in the Bible. But the Lord doesn’t want us to be trapped by a set of rules we follow only to ease our conscience. When you allow Jesus to be your best friend, the Spirit sets your heart free.

So, for example, if you have always said the same prayer when giving thanks for a meal, remember that the Spirit has set you free to use your own words of thanks.

Let love, not rules, be the reason for everything you do!

Verse for today

This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome. 1 John 5:3