November 7, 2020: SOAP #3992:  Job 31, 32; Galatians 5,6  

Scripture:  Galatians (NIV) 5:13 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.

Observation:   We are not just free; we were “called to be free.”  It is one of the purposes of our creation, that we should be free.  Without that freedom, we cannot respond to God’s love in a way that ministers to Him!  Love does not enjoy being loved back by a robot! …or by someone with their arm twisted! The one returning the love must be free to do so.  In this, one can understand the special place of respect for martyrs in heaven!  God honors those who use their freedom to express the same devotion to God as His Son expressed in His love for people!  Note: Love may not be the only expression of faith, but without love, the others are not believable. In the USA, distances are measured in inches, feet, yards and miles.  Liquids are measured in pints, quarts and gallons.  Solids are measured in ounces and pounds.  But all over the world, love is measured by sacrifice.

Freedom also explains the presence of the tree in the Garden of Eden of which Adam and Eve were commanded “NOT to eat.”  God could have made the Garden without the tree, but He did not!  God’s man plan for a free man required that a choice be available. 

Application:  So now that we are free, what do we do with our freedom?  In Galatians 5.1 we see we are to use our freedom to stay free. Here we see that we are to use our freedom to serve one another. Freedom can be used for whatever might please the flesh, but Paul disallows that!   Freedom gives me the opportunity to serve my brother, motivated by my love for him, and also motivated by my love for our common Lord!

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, help me grow in appreciation for the freedom purchased for me by the sacrifice of your Son, Jesus.  Holy Spirit, help me grow in ways of using my freedom to serve others and honoring the Father.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

Personal Note:  As far as bus driving, I am on hold for a while.  The surgeon who did the mitro-valve repair thought I should be able to return as quickly as next week.  But my cardiologist who sent me for the surgery, is indicating that I may need to hold off another week.  (I will see him on the 13^th.)  The safety director at the bus barn is checking the policy for Durham Transportation to see if they allow people with pacemakers to drive their busses. 

My heart overflows with gratitude for all the ways God has blessed Sharon and myself.  People have helped rearrange furniture, others have brought meals, so many cards and expressions of prayer and support.  When I consider what God has done, my heart is filled with the Andre Crouch song:  How can I say thanks…To God be the glory”