Called to Freedom

Deborah
15 hours ago
2 min read

Bible Study

Get Real

Galatians 5:13 ESV

There are times when we tend to make assumptions about our neighbors that come as a complete surprise.

I tend to be a repeat offender.

I was raised in a home of believers. I love to learn and when my dad was home I spent a great deal of my time learning how to build and make things.

He loved Jesus and spent most of his time studying for his Sunday School lesson.

He was one of the most loving men I’ve known. He was kind to everyone. He was an Elder at church and most of the men were deacons.

Galatians 5:13 tells us, “For, dear brothers, you have been given freedom: not freedom to do wrong, but freedom to love and serve each other.”

I noticed there were specific men who regularly argued with him about things at church. Two men in particular came to the house to discuss one thing or another. They yelled when they argued.

My dad did not yell back. He gave them time to make their case and he responded. He quietly made his case.

They were not quiet. As an adult I now know they were rude and out of line.

Still, he loved them.

Yesterday I was in a class where I live and two women who disagreed with my gentle stand on an issue yelled at me. Just like the man who yelled at my dad they refused to let me speak.

At the time I was very upset but then I remembered my dad. He made his case quietly and that’s what I wanted to do with the two women. I was not given time to speak.

They hurt me deeply.

Still, I loved them. I forgave them.

I prayed that Jesus would teach them.

The truth is that yesterday they won the battlle…but they lost the war.

I prayed. Jesus will take over. His love will win.

Deborah/acrazyjourney.com