You Are Free To Forgive

So often when kids go off to college it is their first real taste of freedom. What usually happens is they go hog wild and party, max out the credit card they were given for necessities and emergencies and then find themselves facing bad grades and a phone call home trying to explain why they maxed out the card on "necessities and emergencies." A little time eating Top Ramen and desperation studying can teach the lesson that responsibility is the mature and wise application of freedom.

"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. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Galatians 5:13-14

How often are we like the kid away from home for the first time indulging in "freedom" and finding out doing whatever you want is not always that freeing? Paul reminded the Galatians that if you want to truly enjoy freedom you need to realize that you are free to  serve and love others. That is opposite of what the world believes. The way of the world is to get what is yours. You are free to "do it your way." 

The law was not written to restrict us but to free us. "Love you neighbor as yourself." When there is an issue between "my neighbor" and myself what do I do? Well, the Bible says to treat them as yourself. How would you like to be informed that you did something wrong? How would you like to be dealt with under less than perfect circumstances? And beyond that, how did Christ treat you, sins and all? He forgave you. Get it? You are free to forgive others...

Father, thank you for our freedom in Christ. Help us to use our freedom to serve others. Praise be to you in us today!