Key Verse: Verse 13 - "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another."
Key Words: but by love serve one another
Nature gives us illustrations of how to live together. The principle is called commensolism. It involves living together, but not at the expense of others. For example, there is a small salt water fish known as the goby. The goby has poor eyesight and is defenseless, thus it is vulnerable to predators. However, the goby is a superb digger. Shrimp, on the other hand, have great eyesight and good defenses, but are poor diggers, thus they lack proper shelter. Commensolism results in the goby digging a hole in which the two live together. The shrimp thus serves as the lookout and protector. Neither lives at the expense of the other without providing for the other. This is the way it should work in the church. We all use our strengths and gifts, and in doing so, we work together as a body, and all our weaknesses are diminished.
Charlie Brown once asked Lucy, “Why are we here on earth?” A moment of contemplation was all that was necessary before Lucy answered, “Why, we are here to serve other people.” Charlie Brown’s forlorn look faded with his next question, “Well, then, why are other people here on earth?”
In part, we are here to serve one another. We are to live commensally. However, even if others don’t serve us, we should not forfeit our role as servants. The local church is intended to harmoniously live together serving one another – neither at the expense of the other.
What to do:
✞ Serve one another.
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