保罗感到难以置信，加拉太信徒竟然那么快便放弃他传给他们的福音，而原因不是为了得到自由，却是为了恢复从前，背负规条和仪节的重担。保罗给他们这个信息：他们切不可那么随便地放弃基督的血买回来的自由，它实在太宝贵了！这自由的目的是要带领我们，藉着使用我们的恩赐，去谦卑互相服侍，好叫基督的爱得到彰显。
作为在基督里得自由的人，我们需要走那条 “窄路” ，这条路的两边都是陷阱，一边是律法主义，而另一边是放纵不羁。我们需要避免堕入这两个陷阱中，因为两者都会引我们离开正路。既然不再受到罪的轭挟制，我们便能自由地服侍别人，藉此彰显基督的爱了！我们若如此行，便能够为我们在基督里得到的自由谦卑地尊崇神。
当我们用爱心相互服侍时，我们就是在效法基督和遵行祂的命令了（约翰福音13:34）。服侍人可以包括名符其实的多走一里路来接送人去看医生，或是辅导一个青年人，或是教主日学，或是用我们的恩赐来做其他的服侍。有恩典作为我们的动力，我们的自由帮助我们以恩慈互相服侍，藉着圣灵的带领，我们能够找到表达我们自由的方式，来成为别人的祝福。当我们如此行时，我们自己也会蒙福！
慈爱的神，为着我们在基督里得到的自由，我们感谢祢。求祢的灵加力给我们，好叫我们看到，为基督的缘故，我们可以在何处服侍和服侍什么人。奉耶稣的名求，阿们。
加拉太书 5:1,13-15
1基督释放了我们，叫我们得以自由。所以要站立得稳，不要再被奴仆的轭挟制。13弟兄们，你们蒙召是要得自由，只是不可将你们的自由当作放纵情欲的机会，总要用爱心互相服事。
14因为全律法都包在“爱人如己”这一句话之内了。
15你们要谨慎，若相咬相吞，只怕要彼此消灭了。
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery... Serve one another humbly in love." — Galatians 5:1, 13
Paul was astonished at how quickly the Galatian believers were giving up on the gospel he had brought. And it wasn't for an easier freedom; people were going back to being burdened with rules and rituals. Paul's message: the freedom bought by Christ's blood must not be forsaken so readily. It's too precious! It's a freedom designed to lead to showing Christ's love to others by humbly serving in whatever ways we are gifted.
Living as people who are freed in Christ, we're called to walk the "narrow road," avoiding the ditches of legalism on one side and lawlessness on the other. Either ditch leads us astray. Freed from sin's yoke, we're free to serve—showing Christ's love! And in doing so, we humbly honor God for the precious freedom we have in Christ.
When we serve one another in love, we're following Christ's example and obeying his command (John 13:34). This can include a willingness to literally go the extra mile and take someone to an appointment. Or to mentor a teenager or teach Sunday school. Or to serve in another way we are gifted. Fueled by grace, our freedom leads to serving others gracefully. Led by God's Spirit, we'll find ways to express our freedom by being a blessing. And in doing so, we too are blessed!
Gracious God, thank you for the freedom we have in Christ. Empower us by your Spirit to see where and whom we can serve for Jesus' sake. Amen.
诵读: 楚云
片头: 张妙阳
