Description
In Galatians 5:14, Paul points out the simplicity of the Law of God. Simple, but we find it so difficult!
Galatians 5:1… (visit YouTube for more)
Transcript
Let’s meditate on Galatians chapter 5, verse 14. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbour as yourself."
Paul here is effectively quoting Jesus, who said that the law could be summarised in the two commandments, love God, love others. The whole law is fulfilled by loving our neighbours as ourselves.
And there are two ways of looking at this. So there’s the obvious way that if we give ourselves all the best treatment, if we look after ourselves, if we are kind to ourselves, then this is the kind of behaviour we’re expected to exercise towards others. But conversely, if you’re the kind of person that’s always running around after other people, always serving their needs and always neglecting yourself, well, now is the time to start loving yourself as you love your neighbours.
If someone cuts you up on the road, you’re likely to feel angry towards them. But if it was you cutting someone else up, you’d probably think to yourself, "Oops, shouldn’t have done that, sorry." And then you’d want the person behind you to forgive you quickly and move on.
Loving our neighbours as ourself is not always easy, especially when the neighbour behaves in a way that we don’t want them to, or is rude to us, or spiteful, or mean. But we have been forgiven much, and so it is our duty also to forgive easily. Not to be walked over, not to be trampled upon, but to forgive, and to show grace to all those around us.
And yes, I know! This is much easier said than done. This is why we need to ask for God’s help in this endeavor.
Lord God, please help us to fulfil your law by loving others in the way that we do and should love ourselves. We can only do this in your strength. Amen.
