Devotion
The Law of Life
Frances Taylor
Freedom! Doesn't it sound great? We all want freedom, but what is true freedom? According to Paul it is freedom in the law of the Spirit of life in Christ. Unfortunately, most of us don't want freedom, they want license. Freedom does not mean that a person can do whatever he/she wants. We are given free will so that we can choose the GOOD. My freedom ends where yours begins and there are people who forget that.
When we follow Jesus law of love we are truly free. We don't even have to worry about the commandments because they are all based on love – love of God and love of others. Later in Romans, Paul talks about this in a question about the obligation of the Jewish people to follow the law as opposed to the Christians who are no longer subject to the law because they need to follow the way of love. We must follow civil laws, but first we must know them. For example, we must know the speed limit and follow it when we drive. We must know tax laws, housing laws, all kinds of laws depending on our own situations. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse if caught in violation of them. As Paul said, he didn't know it was wrong to covet except for the commandment. But a law of love lets us know that envy is not right, that we should be happy for others who succeed. Following the example of Jesus will free us from the law of sin and death so that we might live love now and in eternity.
Prayer
Lord, help us to understand the true meaning of freedom and always choose to do the most loving thing in all situations. Amen.
Night Prayer
And Delilah said to Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth, and wherewith thou mightest be bound to afflict thee.
Inspiration
Delilah asks Samson what makes him strong so his enemies can attack him in his weakness. Satan is like a lion, constantly on the prowl, searching out our weakness and working diligently to distract us from the path of righteousness. We rely on the Holy Spirit to help us focus when the enemy tries to trick us. We are thankful for the Holy Spirit's presence and guidance every moment of our earthly lives.
Prayer
Dear Father, We praise You for the presence of Your Spirit in our daily lives. Please continue to encourage us to remain watchful as Satan plans his attack. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Morning Prayer
But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. But take heed lest by any means this liberty of your's become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
Inspiration
Paul addressing eating meat offered to idols. He says that the meat itself is just meat and not good or evil and that if we eat it as just meat, it is not wrong. But yet, if we do so, we will hurt the conscience of other believers and become a stumblingblock to their faith. And that is to use our liberty selfishly instead of to walk in love towards others.
Prayer
Today, Lord, we will not likely encounter meats offered to idols, but we know all Scripture is profitable for our instruction. If there are issues where it would not be sinful in itself to do a thing but doing it would hurt other believers or be a bad witness to the world, let us refrain from those things out of love. Amen.
