Faith & Love: A One Year Bible Reading Plan - Part 3Sample

In this final chapter of Paul’s letter to the Galatians, we find so many familiar phrases that have almost become ‘proverbs’ within the context of local church and life in the Kingdom of God.

In verses 1 to 3, we are reminded of the way Godly and spiritually mature leadership expresses the LOVE of Christ – never too high and mighty to reach out to those who have made mistakes, to come alongside those who need mercy because they have ‘fallen’ into sin.

Verse 4 to 5 calls us to LOVE through serving others: Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.

In verse 6, Paul points out how LOVE leads us into a life of generosity – we share what God has poured out into our lives in terms of practical provision with those who mentor us in our relationship with God. And in verses 7 to 10, he explains why generosity is always to our benefit: what we sow, we reap.

Paul concludes his letter with a final plea to avoid loveless leaders who ‘fence us in’ by whatever version of ‘Recipe Theology’ they are peddling. He challenges them as he did the Corinthians: Your lives aren’t small, but you’re living them in a small way (1 Corinthians 6:12). God’s Spirit never puts pressure on us to feel better or to do better. His word over our lives lifts us out of any limiting reference that history, culture or religion could use to define us into the life of a new creation in Christ.

Live LOVED. Live LARGE. Live Blessed