Introduction:
I will never understand Black Friday. Every year there are videos of people fighting over the last TV or a mad dash to their favorite aisle as the doors are unlocked. Every year, I am entertained watching the mayhem (and thankful from my couch with popcorn). I am reminded every time I watch the mayhem during Black Friday that man naturally thinks about themselves before anyone else. Black Friday is just one example of man’s natural selfishness. In a stark contrast, Jesus has called Christians to think of others and love them before ourselves. Paul reaffirms this selflessness in Galatians.
Galatians 5:13-14
“For you are called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Think about it:
Paul wants those who are free in Christ to know that they are now commanded to love others rather than satisfy their own desires. When it comes down to it, choosing to love the other person and place their needs first is a freeing philosophy. Even if the person is our enemy, God tells us to love them. There is no longer a need to evaluate whether someone is “worthy” of your love. The answer is always to love them.
Take away:
Free people put others first.
Personal reflection:
Are you consumed by one-upping the person next to you or are you placing the needs of others first?