Love is! Well at least that’s what Damon Waynes tells Stacy Dash in the 1992 movie “Mo’ Money.” But Paul told us about the freedom a believer can have in Christ’s love when he wrote 1 Corinthians 10:23 and Galatians 5:13-14. (Below are the Tammy-versions of these verses)
Everything is permissible – but not beneficial
Everything is permissible – but not constructive
Everything is permissible – but I will not be mastered by anything
Do not use your freedom for the flesh - but for love in serving one another
Paul said we were free from the law of old in three little words “everything is permissible.” And then essentially he asks us to make a choice, the choice to choose love. Choose God over what is permissible; choosing to please God in every moment, in every day and in every way.
Life brings so many choices every day; what to wear, what to eat, who to spend time with, what to say or what not to say. We face a million choices in our mind and we can replay these choices in our head, rehearsing what we could have said, what we did say, if only we would have said it this way or that way because out of the mouth comes the overflow of the heart. Does your mouth reflect your heart? He calls us to give love to all through service but what happens when you don’t feel equipped to serve? Not ever. It is not your natural state of being. Serving others is a frustrating, annoying and a downright drag to you but you do it anyway, out of obedience hoping the feelings will come. Or maybe you have a servant’s heart but you are tired and broken down from always being the one giving.
God says come to me, ask and it will be given to you. He can change even the ugliest attitude. He has the power to raise the dead; he can surely turn you into a person willing to serve another. But he is not going to do it like Clark Kent changes into Superman; He wants you to voluntarily choose what is right. He delights in your journey to get to know him better, to serve his people and to watch as you fall in love with Him. He has the ability to spark the passion of service in even the coldest, hardest heart. If you call on Him, He will answer!
Let this be your prayer…Lord, please tender my heart as a heart that wants to benefit others, that wants to constructively expand Your Kingdom, and that can have a passion for someone other than for self. I know you have given me the believer’s freedom and that you tell me everything is permissible but show me self control in the “everything.” Break my heart for what is not permissible and then reveal to me who you want me to serve in a selfless, sacrificial love. Let me demonstrate your presence in my life by serving in love. Amen!
Serving you in Love…Tammy