自由和不自由的結果截然不同。如果我們假借自由放縱情慾，結果是顯而易見的「姦淫、污穢、邪蕩、拜偶像、邪術、仇恨、爭競、忌恨、惱怒、結黨、紛爭、異端、嫉妒、醉酒、荒宴等類」（5：19~21）。相反的，如果我們「愛人如己」，我們就會看到「仁愛、喜樂、和平、忍耐、恩慈、良善、信實、溫柔、節制」（5：22~23）。

        律法會責備我們「放縱情慾」，但「愛人如己」的事沒有律法禁止。自由的意思就是不受律法約束。只有在我們追求上帝、鄰舍、和我們自己的最高利益──那就是愛──時，不受任何律法的禁止。

        愛是件難事。愛與我們的感受無關，純然是一種選擇。愛根本就是一個決定。

        那就是為什麼耶穌要我們「愛我們的仇敵」。這不是一個不可能的要求。如果耶穌是要我們去「喜歡」我們的敵人，那是不可能的。喜歡靠的是感覺，但愛是出於選擇。

        每一天選擇去做對和好的事是相當累人的。或者我們可能會因看不到結果而「喪志」。

        保羅說：「要忍耐，不要灰心」。有一天我們必要收成。如果不是在今世收成，就是在天國收成。上帝不會虧負任何人。

        上帝啊，幫助我們能真實的去愛。幫助我們堅毅不灰心，永遠尋求他人和我們自己生命的最高利益。我們讚美您，耶穌，您不只教我們如何過愛人如己的生活，您還活在我們裡面，賜給我們力量照您的吩咐去行。奉主耶穌聖名，阿們！

English

        Freedom and unfreedom ultimately betray themselves by their fruit. If, in the name of freedom, we "indulge the sinful nature" (5:13), the product will eventually manifest itself: "sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissentions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies,;and the like" (5:19-21). On the other hand, if we "love our neighbours as ourselves" (5:14), we'll see, "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" (5:22,23).

        The "law" will condemn us for "indulging the sinful nature", but there is no law that can condemn us as we "love our neighbour". Freedom means no laws. The only context where no laws apply is that in which we seek the highest good for God, neighbour, and self — this is love.

        Loving is hard work. It has very little to do with how we feel. It has everything to do with what we choose. Love, on the bottom line, is a decision.

        That's why Jesus said we're to "love our enemies". This is not an impossible demand. It would be impossible if He said we're to "like" our enemies. "Like" is a feeling; love is a choice.

        So choosing to do what's right and good, day in and day out, can be exhausting. Or we see so few results from our good choices that we "lose heart".

        Paul says, "Be patient. Don't lose heart." There's coming a day when "we shall reap". If not here, in space and time, we'll reap there — in the kingdom of Heaven. God is no man's debtor.
Keep at it!

        Lord God, grant that we shall truly "Love". Please help us not to lose heart in persisting in the decision to always seek the highest good of the other person, as well as the highest good for our own lives. We praise You Jesus, who not only showed us how to do this, but lives in us, giving us the power to do as He would do.