Galatians 5:7-15

Galatians 5:7-15 
English Standard Version (ESV)

  Again, Paul gets passionate here, because he cares so much about these faith communities that he's invested in.  Think for a second -- what was the last thing you got mad about?  What fires you up?  What raises your blood pressure?  When you think about the things that got you fired up over the last few weeks, if you're getting upset over little things and not getting upset about important things, that's helpful to know.
  Once we wade through Paul's indignation, we get to this beautiful passage about freedom.  Remember, the Law has been fulfilled, but Paul, just as Jesus was always doing, raises the standard.  The freedom that we've been given isn't just for us to indulge ourselves, but rather it's an opportunity to serve as we've been served, to love as we've been loved.  Our freedom is a gift, and we can enlarge that gift by sharing it with one another.  It's not just about us -- it's an opportunity to invite others into the community and be enriched by watching others experience the same freedom that we've been freely given. 
  There's a recent story about Kareem Abdul-Jabbar auctioning off his championship rings.  He doesn't need the money, but rather he sees these rings he has as an opportunity to bless others, and he's more excited about what that opportunity might mean for someone else than what it means to him.  No one can take away the memory of the rings or the championship that comes with them -- but he can use them as a way to bless others, and that brings him joy.
  Similarly, no one can take away what Christ has done for you.  That's yours, forever.  You've been bought with a price.  What we now have is the chance to use that freedom to bless others.  Think about it -- you have nothing to fear, ever.  You cannot be destroyed.  What can you do for others?