Today's passages included one of my favorite Bible quotes. Ever.
It's Galatians 5:6b--and I have to say that I think I like the NIV version better. It says simply, "...The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."
It's very simple, but one of my favorites because it captures the idea that faith and love are always tied together...you can't really love God, a person, or even a company if you don't have some measure of faith in them. And if you have faith, it's demonstrated in your life through your love.
Throughout the book of Galatians, Paul is writing to people who have been drawn to listen to legalistic, rule-based religion (see "Mary Poppins faith"). But that's not what Christianity is about...it's about grace, love and freedom. However, Paul does a good job of explaining the balance between freedom and following God's instructions:
It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life.
Just make sure that you don't use this freedom
as an excuse to do whatever you want to do
and destroy your freedom.
Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love;
that's how freedom grows.
For everything we know about God's Word
is summed up in a single sentence:
Love others as you love yourself.
That's an act of true freedom.
This portion of the passage provides a very high-level picture of a free life, grounded in God's guidance. What does that mean to your everyday life? To your everyday work?
Thankfully, Paul gives a bit more instruction to address those questions as well. Take a look:
Make a careful exploration of who you are
and the work you have been given,
and then sink yourself into that.
Don't be impressed with yourself.
Don't compare yourself with others.
Each of you must take responsibility
for doing the creative best you can
with your own life.
I think he's saying here that our lives our really a gift from God--our responsibility is to do the "creative best" we can (to be good stewards, if you will) of every aspect of our lives. That may sound like a tall order, but remember--you and I have been given freedom to make choices about our time, family, relationships, money, work, service and more. Some important questions? How is your faith expressed in love? And in the "creative best" of your life?
Tomorrow: Ephesians 1-3
