Free to Love

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. – (Galatians 5:13, NIV)

My brothers and sisters, God chose you to be free. But don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do what pleases your sinful selves. Instead, serve each other with love. – (Galatians 5:13, ERV)

Brothers and sisters, God has called you to freedom! Hear the call, and do not spoil the gift by using your liberty to engage in what your flesh desires; instead, use it to serve each other as Jesus taught through love. – (Galatians 5:13, VOICE)

Because God gives us a free will, we have the freedom to choose the ways in which we go. However, if we are following Him, we are called to love. If we are loving in all that we do, we deny our fleshly desires and walk in His way and do His will. Jesus came, not to be served, but to serve others. He is our example and ought to be the model of how to walk in love and grace with humility. The love Christ modeled was such that He loved the broken, the hurting, and the rejected. He touched the “untouchable” and healed those who felt hopeless. Our charge is to choose to love like Him. May we ever seek the Lord to show us how to serve each other in love and to care well for those around us, rather than to be self-centered and focus on only what we want.

It is for freedom,

that we’ve been set free;

to choose how to live,

love abundantly.

As we seek follow,

and love like the Lord;

we learn how to live,

as the Lord affords.

He gives us freely,

all that we will need;

to love as He loves,

His grace set us free.

Free from the shackles,

of our selfishness;

covered by His grace,

for true righteousness.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You have given us a free will. Thank You that our freedom is the ability to choose whether or not we follow after You. Thank You that You have shown us what it is to deny our fleshly desires and choose to love well. Forgive us for the times that we have chosen selfishness and have neglected to love. Show us how to love like You in all things and at all times. Empower us to show Your goodness and grace to all whom we encounter. May many enter into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we set aside our own selfish desires and seek to follow after You in love for all. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. – Romans 8:28

Kindness to All

The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for Me.” – (Matthew 25:40, NIV)

“Then the King will answer, ‘The truth is, anything you did for any of my people here, you also did for me.’ – (Matthew 25:40, ERV)

Then the King will say, “I’m telling you the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was Me – you did it to Me.” – (Matthew 25:40, MSG)

If ever I have heard a motivation to be kind to everyone, this is it. God loves His created so much, that He considers what is done to each of us, done unto Him. I understand on a small human level, as each person who has extended kindness to the people I love, I consider wonderful; yet anyone who has been unkind to my loved ones has become someone who I do not trust and do not desire to have as a part of my life. I imagine that God gives us people and pets to love deeply so that we can understand, on some level, what is good and what is not. For anyone who loves my kids, my family, my friends, my dogs, feels as if they have been good to me by caring well for those whom I love most. Additionally, loving one another is what we have been called and commanded to do. To do unto others is unto everyone, not just those in our circle. From our friends and family, to our coworkers and charges, to the people in the grocery store and those on the street corner, to each we are called to be kind and care. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us in His kindness and love so that we can care well for all with whom we interact.

To do to others,

can be simple things;

a smile, a gesture,

goodness hope does bring.

Show us the kindness,

that we’re meant to give;

and grant us the strength,

each day that we live.

For each time we’re kind,

where we’ve given good;

God feels the blessing,

His heart understood.

Lead us, Lord Jesus,

by Your tender care;

show us how to love,

those near and out there.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You sent Your Son to show us what it is to love us all. He touched the untouchable, engaged with the ignored, loved the hated, and modeled what it is to love to all. Forgive us for the times that we have neglected to extend kindness when we had the opportunity. Teach us to listen to Your leading and act upon the tug on our heart. Show us how to truly love all people. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to lead us in Your love to extend kindness to everyone. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. – Ephesians 4:2