.
Christ Sets Us Free to Love and Serve
All .
For
you were
called to
freedom,
brethren; only
do not use
your freedom
as an
opportunity
for the flesh,
but through
love be
servants of
one
another. For
the whole law
is fulfilled
in one word,
“You shall
love your
neighbor as
yourself.” But
if you bite
and devour one
another take
heed that you
are not
consumed by
one another.
-
Galatians
5:13-15
Love, Unity, and
Mission
What is the
sure path and
motivating
force that
leads to
Christian
unity and
fruitful
mission? On
the eve of his
sacrifice
Jesus took a
towel and
basin of water
and began to
wash his
disciples feet
and then he
gave them a
new command -
love one
another as I
have loved
you.. By this
all will know
that you are
my disciples
if you have
love for one
another
(John
13:34-35).
The
Lord Jesus
said that he came
not to be
served but to
serve and to
give his life
as a ransom
for many
(Matthew
20:28). Jesus
was King by
right, but
Servant by
choice.
Through
meekness,
humility, and
compassionate
love Jesus
chose to lay
down his life
for us - to
set us free to
love and serve
one another
(Galatians
5:13). This is
the one true
path to
reconciliation,
peace, and
unity with all
who belong to
Christ who
shed his blood
for us and who
unites us with
the Father in
heaven and
with all who
are called his
sons and
daughters. And
this is the
driving force
that led the
disciples to
go and make
disciples of
all nations
(Matthew
28:19).
The
love of Christ
compels us
The
distinctive
hallmark and
trait of every
follower and
disciple of
Jesus Christ
is love
- a
love that is
wholly
directed to
the good of
others - a
love that is
Christ-centered
and ready to
forgive and
forget past
injuries, to
heal and
restore rather
than inflict
revenge and
injury. The
cross of Jesus
is the only
way to pardon,
peace,
forgiveness,
and
reconciliation.
Every other
way will fail
or fall short
of the glory
and victory
which Jesus
Christ has won
for us through
his death and
resurrection.
The love of
Christ is not
only a promise
but a present
gift and
reality for
all who are
filled with
the Holy
Spirit. Paul
the Apostle
tells us that
God's love
has been
poured into
our hearts
through the
Holy Spirit
who has been
given to us
(Romans 5:5).
If we embrace
his love and
truth and
allow the
Holy Spirit to
purify and
transform our
hearts and
minds, then we
will find the
inner freedom,
joy, and
strength we
need to love
without
measure, to
forgive
without limit,
and to serve
without reward
- save that of
knowing we are
serving the
One who unites
us in an
unbreakable
bond of peace
and joy
forever.
May
this issue
inspire us -
individually
and as
communities of
disciples
on mission
- to
strive
together for
the unity and
mission the
Lord has
called us to embrace
for
his glory and
for the
advancement of
his kingdom.
Don't
miss Bob
Tedesco's
article on The Christian Ladder of Love: Mission, Life Together,
and the Second
Commandment.
Sincerely
in Christ,
Don Schwager
editor
Top
photo from
Bigstock.com |
