The Floodgates of Love

Part 2 of the Keep in Step message series

¹³ For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.¹⁴ For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  ¹⁵ But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. Galatians 5:13-15 (NASB)

The BIG Idea

An essential part of the Christian life is putting others ahead of oneself. In every way possible, we must seek the well-being of others above our own. To keep in step with the Holy Spirit, we must first rely on the work of Jesus Christ, then we must love and serve others with the love of Christ. Love and care for others is essential. Walking in step with God is inseparable from serving others even above service to one s own well-being.

 

ILLUSTRATION: The Chinese Rice Farmer practicing love of neighbor

 

Scripture clearly affirms that followers of Jesus are distinguished by one specific trait: our love for one another.

 

By this all people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another.

John 13:35 (NASB)

We cannot live a life of closeness with God that is not lived for the mutual benefit of other followers of Jesus.

When we love others, we keep in step with the will of God the Father.

A valuable way to connect with others is to show interest in something they enjoy.

Mutual care is an essential part of connections with others.

The freedom we find in God s gift of salvation is meant to be an opportunity for us to serve one another.

Illustration: Bob Dylan s song You re Gonna Have to Serve Somebody.

If we do not choose service to God, we will be forced into service to sin and the gods of this world.

The demands of our human nature present a constant threat to our real freedom in Christ.

The antidotes God gives for indulging the flesh are living in God s Holy Spirit and serving one another.

The true purpose of freedom from God is the opportunity to practice genuine love in service to others.

³⁵ And one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him: ³⁶  Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?  ³⁷ And He said to him,  You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.  ³⁸ This is the great and foremost commandment.³⁹ The second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:35-39 (NASB)

²⁵ And behold, a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?  ²⁶ And He said to him,  What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?  ²⁷ And he answered, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself. ²⁸ And He said to him,  You have answered correctly; do this and you will live. Luke 10:25-28 (NASB)

We cannot love our neighbor without being in Christ.

Illustration: Teeth marks

As followers of Jesus, we have two indispensable helps:

-        The Holy Spirit

-        The compassion and forgiveness of Christ.

Illustration: Miracle on the River Kwai (World War II)

We are truly free when we follow the commands of God.

Questions for Reflection:

What do you believe is the mark of a genuine follower of Jesus?

What does it mean to love God fully in your relationships with others, and especially with other followers of Jesus?

What do you believe is a mark of closeness with others?

Can you love someone if you re unwilling to show interest in what they enjoy?

What does it mean to live your life in the service of others?

How would your life be transformed if you focused more on others and less on yourself? How would it impact your personal relationship with God?