40 Day Daniel Fast Day 15

The Requirements to serve: LOVE

Galatians 5:13  For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Devotional
Have you ever been the type of person who looks over duties, responsibilities, job descriptions, maybe asks questions? Like, how many hours would this take? What time would I need to show up? How often will I be needed to do this?... Where do you think this line of questioning happens? Well, maybe I should ask where isn’t this happening at? Of course, it isn’t happening at your job. No, you wouldn’t ask all of those questions to your job; those questions are only reserved for the church. Don’t get me wrong, I know that we all have other obligations outside of the church, and many of us have a demanding life. I get it, but try this on for size; what if you didn’t think about the job description, the time, and all of the other stuff, and you just free yourself up to serve and love people? You see, it would be the same as when we received Christ; how many rules do you have? What amount of hours does the Lord require for you to fulfill your Christian duty? Just like what Paul was describing here in this passage, it is when we get all of the rules and regulations involved that we start to rebel and look for loopholes.

Paul tells the church, hey, you are free to live for Christ and since you are free to live, guess what that freedom affords you? An opportunity to serve with love. Christian freedom is the freedom to serve one another in love. You see, this unconditional love only flows because we have received it from the Lord! What’s staying after service to help spray the disinfectant on the seats for the next group of saints to come to the next service? Christ sprayed disinfectant on our lives so we could be called His! What’s greeting people and making them feel welcome at the door? Christ embraced us and adopted us in His family. What’s singing songs of praise to Him? He went on a cross and died for us! What’s protecting His house and your brothers and sisters in Christ by joining the security team? He watches over you and your family every night! So saints, instead of asking the questions of time, energy, and commitment, how about we freely live according to God’s standard and glorify God through our service to others.
Challenge:
Inquire about a ministry this week
Read:
1 Corinthians 9:19
Romans 15:1-2
Ephesians 5:21
Pray
Lord, help me serve my brothers and sisters out of the same love You have shown to me. You loved us so much that You died for our sin; You loved us so much that You demonstrated what it looks like to sacrifice Your time, energy, and desire for the obedience of God. The same passion caused You to be willing to leave heaven and come to earth to serve us and show that love. Help us obey You and serve our church and fellow believers this day in Jesus' name, amen.

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