Tag Archives: Freedom

Enabled to be Godly

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It’s a wonderful thing to have such utter confidence in the fact that our freedom from law and sin has allowed us to share in God’s own righteousness. And that’s not all! Our redemption is set in stone—a salvation and heavenly reward that no one can strip away from us. But standing in such a marvelous and rock-solid hope carries the danger of breeding complacency. “Now that I’ve got my ticket to heaven, what more do I need? Why worry about it?”

Such an attitude is always rooted in the self-centered belief that, at the end of the day, our relationship with God amounts to little more than making a better life for ourselves here and now, with the added bonus of a fabulous heavenly life later. Sadly, this is the way many Christians think about God and His purpose for their life. But it really shouldn’t surprise us much; multitudes of voices unrelentingly and convincingly preach this very message.

This watered-down gospel, though, has no real basis in Scripture. Quite the opposite actually: devotion, selflessness and discipline bear the true mark of a godly person. “Godly? Who said anything about godly? I’m just glad I’m saved!” Well, saved is wonderful, but our reconciliation with God encompasses a whole lot more than merely our initial regeneration—no matter how dramatic our born-again experience might have been.

The primary reason for God doing all He has through Christ Jesus is to pave the way for godliness to become the standard of our life in Him. Salvation, then, is merely the starting point in our walk with God. Through redemption, we are provided the framework essential to choice. And choice by faith is the very heart of our life—and growth in that life—as Christians.(Titus 2;11-12)

The Maker of Heaven

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My child, I come to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners. To comfort those who mourn and give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. Trust Me to bring this situation about for good. Lean not on your own understanding, your life is in the hands of the Maker of heaven.

Isaiah 61:1-3    Proverbs 3:5

Dispelling a Myth

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Let’s dispel a myth quite popular in Christian circles. It is this: the idea that our life here on earth would be so wonderful if only Adam had not sinned. Well, I suppose it would be, but all the same it stands in direct opposition to God’s purpose. Why? Because given the nature of man, Adam was doomed to sin. Strong words, I know, yet true. But why would God set the stage for that to happen—both to him and to us? Couldn’t we more wholeheartedly commit ourselves to Christ’s lordship if sin were never an issue?

What could possibly be wrong with wanting complete freedom from the influence of sin so that single-minded devotion to God might not only be easier but more pleasurable? Well, we need to think about what letting us slide through life here on earth in the comfort and security of sinlessness would ultimately achieve. It’s only possible outcome would be a good life here, with the added hope of even a better eternal life in heaven.

What’s the problem with that, you might ask? The trouble with this notion is that, while nice, it’s not God’s reality. He has a much greater purpose for our lives, because our eternal destiny with Him in heaven is indeed much more than just a wonderful place to spend eternity.

Excerpted from: Free from the Power of Sin: The Keys to Growing in God in Spite of Yourself

 

Freedom and Confidence

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My child, keep the faith. Keep believing Me when all seems lost. Your faith in Me pleases Me. When you doubt, you’re doubting My ability to take care of the situation. Don’t doubt, only believe. This may go against every fiber of your being, but learn to trust Me in EVERYTHING. Only then will you be able to walk in the freedom and confidence I’ve called you to.

Hebrews 11:6    Galatians 3:6

Love and Serve

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My child, I have called you to love and to serve. You will experience My peace as you allow Me to love others through you. You will have joy as you serve. You will walk in freedom as you fully surrender to Me. Most people fear their loss of freedom if they fully give themselves to Me, but that is the very thing that will allow them to gain it. One of the biggest lies of the evil one is that you must always be in control. Give complete control to Me and watch the enemy flee.

Galatians 5:13&14  James 4:7

The Good News: Part 6

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By faith I have received all that God has promised (Galatians 3:22). And in the very same way that I have received Christ Jesus the Lord—that is, as a free gift—I am now to walk in Him (Colossians 2:6).

It was for freedom that Christ set me free. Therefore, I will stand firm and not subject myself again to the yoke of slavery (Galatians 5:1). For the promises of God are valid for me only if I continue in the faith, firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel (Colossians 1:23).

The hope of God’s promise is that by grace I have been saved through faith This is the gift of God, not a result of my own goodness or deeds (Ephesians 2:8-9). In this same way I have every opportunity to attain to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding—the true knowledge of God’s mystery, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:2-3).

Excerpted from: Free from the Power of Sin: The Keys to Growing in God in Spite of Yourself

“The Power of Sin is the Law”

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While the principle of freedom from the power of sin is woven throughout the fabric of the gospel, it still can be a bit confusing. Paul says, “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.” (1 Corinthians 15:56) But don’t you find this a little surprising? It seems here as if sin’s power is tied directly to the law. So freedom from the power of sin must somehow be very closely related to freedom from the law.

Yet we tend to think about freedom from sin only as being liberated from the problem of sinning. So how could being set free from the law have anything to do with sin losing its power over us? Well, the truth is that freedom from the law has everything to do with freeing us from sin’s power. But if you’re like most Christians, your grasp of this principle is probably a little sketchy.

(Excerpted from “Free from the Power of Sin: The Keys to Growing in God in Spite of Yourself”)

The power of sin is in the Law?

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While the principle of freedom from the power of sin is woven throughout the fabric of the gospel, it still can be a bit confusing. Paul says, “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.” Don’t you find this a little surprising? It seems here as if sin’s power is tied directly to the law. So freedom from the power of sin must somehow be very closely related to freedom from the law. Yet we tend to think about freedom from sin only as being liberated from the problem of sinning. So how could being set free from the law have anything to do with sin losing its power over us? Well, the truth is that freedom from the law has everything to do with freeing us from sin’s power.

(Excerpted from “Free from the Power of Sin: The Keys to Growing in God in Spite of Yourself”)