Today is Friday, May 6th, 2011; Karen's Korner #2060
"For, dear brothers,
you have been given freedom;
not freedom to do wrong,
but freedom to love and serve one another.
For the whole Law can be summed up in this one command:
'Love others as you love yourself.'
But if instead of showing love among yourselves
you are always critical and catty,
watch out!
Beware of ruining each other."
- (written by Paul) Galatians 5:13-15 (LB)
Bible Commentary: Paul distinguished between freedom to sin and freedom to serve. Freedom to sin is not freedom at all because it enslaves you to Satan, others, or your own evil desires. People who are slaves to sin are not free to live a righteous life. Christians, by contrast, should not be slaves to sin because they are free to do right and glorify God through their actions.
When we are not motivated by love, we become critical of others. We stop looking for good in them and see only their faults. Soon the unity of believers is broken. Have you talked behind someone's back? Have you focused on others' shortcomings instead of their strengths? Remind yourself of Jesus' command to love others as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:39). When you begin to feel critical of someone, make a list of that person's positive qualities. And don't say anything behind his/her back that you wouldn't say to his/her face.
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