Big Sandals

DEVOTION
GALATIONS
BIG SANDALS
Gal 5:13
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. NIV
I think I have been saying this all along, but yet it is a difficult thing to do at times. There is no question about no using my freedom to indulge in the sinful nature. Yet I think it is interesting the word does not tell me not to indulge in sin, but in my sinful nature, which of course would produce sin. Is this indulging, or starting point as the Greek word implies an active decision of my will? Does that cover those times I simply get caught up in a moment and act or behave in a manner which is certainly defined as sin? Is that the starting point, or is that indulging in the flesh, the sinful nature? Or is that just being human and not divine? Because I am free and not enslaved to the law as a source of my salvation, I can sin and not be in danger of punishment because Christ’s death on the cross covered all my sins past, present, and future. But that should not be my open door to do anything I want to do. In fact, I should not want to do those things. That is the rub here. How do I not want to do them? It is my nature, which will not actually change. Putting off my old self and putting on my new self is a daily battle. I would be lying to myself if I thought I did not have a sinful nature. But I should be able with the help of the Holy Spirit to deny myself and take up my cross and follow him. That is the daily walk, ever day, all day. So now as I endeavor to make that walk and live for God, even though I do fail, he is pleased with my choice. But the walk is incomplete if I simply try to live free of sin, or make every effort to not sin. I have to take an active role in the body of Christ by serving others in love. It is more than simply a personal relationship with God, me and him, him and me, my salvation, my freedom and all that entails. No I have to become an active member of the body, working and serving others with love in my heart for them. That is quite different then serving them out of a selfish ambition for power and authority as I think many politicians serve the people for. No, I must serve others because I love them and that love is my motivation for serving them. If Christ loves me, and I am the mirror, than others should see the love of Christ in me. Those are very big shoes, sandals to fill.