Serving together

Through love serve one another. — Galatians 5:13                                      

When Cristine Bouwkamp and Kyle Kramer got married in the spring of 2007, they did something most of us wouldn’t think of doing. Instead of hosting a “sit-down dinner,” they held a simple reception at the church and invited their guests to help distribute food to people in need.

They bought a truckload of food and had it delivered to the church parking lot. Then they and their wedding guests served the people of the neighborhood. Cristine and Kyle said the first thing that they wished to do as a married couple was to serve others. Because God had changed their lives so radically, they wanted to “bless God for blessing us with each other.”

The Kramers chose a great start for their new marriage — blessing God by serving others. The apostle Paul encouraged the Christians of Galatia: “Through love serve one another” (Gal. 5:13). Some of them believed that the ceremonial practices of the Old Testament were still binding on the church. So Paul wrote that salvation is by grace through faith. It is by faith we live out our new life in Christ. He reminded them that the law was fulfilled in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (v. 14).

As followers of Jesus, we’re here to serve Him out of love — to “bless God for blessing us.” — Anne Cetas                

O that my life may useful be

As I serve Jesus faithfully;

And may His love be seen in me —

This is my earnest prayer. — Hess

READ: Galatians 5:13-16

God blesses us so that we can be a blessing to others.

The Bible in one year:

• Romans 5-8

• Proverbs 23:29-35