Devotional Love Overcomes Envy

Read Galatians 5:19-23 In June 2016 it will have been fifty years since we graduated from high school. As I get older I pleased that I still have a relationship with several of my classmates. The friendship that gives me the most pleasant memories is the one that I have with John. John and I were in the same homeroom. We played on the football team. Now, this is what is special about our friendship to me. I was a student that had academic abilities better than John. On the other hand John’s football abilities exceeded those of mine. John and I competed for the same positions on the football team. Instead of trying to hold the other back, John and I were always trying to help each other. I helped John with his school work and he helped me to be a better football player. The funny thing to me is that at that time I did not think much of it. As the years have gone by and I have matured, I thank God for our friendship. In Galatians 5:19 “envy” is associated with the works of the flesh. It is associated with the desire to take something that one does not have from another. On the other hand “love” is associated with kindness, goodness, and faithfulness. These qualities describe my relationship to John. We are always happy to see each other, and we are happy that each one is doing well. God has blessed our relationship. It is a relationship built on love.