Spying On The Free

Galatians 2:4 (NIV) - "This matter arose because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you." Ever been spied on by people who just want to enslave you to their traditions or way of thinking? That's nothing new - its been happening since the beginnings of Christianity. It really bothers some religious people when they see those who are free in Christ enjoying themselves. To some - if its fum, it must be sin. Don't let the spies take you back into bondage for things that are not clearly defined in Scripture. Those who are truly free can really irritate those who only pretend to be free. Same passage in The Message reads: "While we were in conference we were infiltrated by spies pretending to be Christians, who slipped in to find out just how free true Christians are. Their ulterior motive was to reduce us to their brand of servitude. We didn't give them the time of day."

True Freedom?

Check out this passage from Romans 6 in The Message that answers the question - "What is true freedom? "So, since we're out from under the old tyranny, does that mean we can live any old way we want? Since we're free in the freedom of God, can we do anything that comes to mind? Hardly. You know well enough from your own experience that there are some acts of so-called freedom that destroy freedom. Offer yourselves to sin, for instance, and it's your last free act. But offer yourselves to the ways of God and the freedom never quits. All your lives you've let sin tell you what to do. But thank God you've started listening to a new master, one whose commands set you free to live openly in his freedom!" True freedom is not doing anything you want to do, but doing everything you should do. Before being set free by Jesus Christ, we were slaves to sin and did whatever it dictated to us. If we continue to live the old way we will be right back in the bondage we were in before. Now we can choose to live by God's way that keeps you enjoying the freedom to which we have been called. True freedom!

Free From Sin And Death

Romans 8:1,2 (NIV) - "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death." We are free in Christ Jesus because the law of the Spirit of life is more powerful than and has triumphed over the law that had condemned us to spiritual, physical, and eternal death because of sin. Being free from the penalty and power of sin we can now live without guilt and judgment hanging over us. Jesus wants us to live by the power and presence of that life-giving Spirit that He has now filled us with. He wants us to be led and guided by the Spirit that brings us freedom and abundant life. Let the fruit of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control by the marks of our life in Jesus.

Exercise Your Freedom

There is some very sound advice on the way we should live and exercise our freedom by Peter in Chapter 2 of his letter to the church, verses 15-17 from The Message Bible: "It is God's will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think you're a danger to society. Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government." Whether dealing with friends, family, co-workers, or government officials and authorities; we are called to exercise our freedom by putting others above ourselves and serving them. The proper exercise of freedom will treat others with dignity, love and respect. This serves as a great testimony to spiritual freedom and its use.

Perfect Law Gives Freedom

James 1:25 (NIV) - "But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does." The perfect law does not restrict and bind you but it liberates you. It is meant to show us who we truly are and move us into actions that bring about the manifestation of God's Kingdom. In the same way that traffic laws are not meant to restrict our driving as much as protect and keep order so that we can be safe - God's perfect law frees us to live and act in a way that is for everyone's good and protection. This same verse in The Message reads this way: "But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God—the free life!—even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action." Check out God's perfect law and in freedom, take action and live by it!

Use Freedom Carefully...

Galatians 5:13 (NIV) - "You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love." Freedom is meant to be enjoyed and shared but it is best used carefully under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Our sinful nature, or flesh, is egotistical and selfish and if we are not led by the Spirit, it is easy to hurt and cause damage to others by the use the freedom we have been given in Christ. Don't separate freedom and love. Look at the way The Message further explains this passage: (verses 13-15) - "It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don't use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that's how freedom grows. For everything we know about God's Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That's an act of true freedom. If you bite and ravage each other, watch out—in no time at all you will be annihilating each other, and where will your precious freedom be then?" Something to think about, huh?

Retain Your Freedom

Galatians 5:1 (NIV) - "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Jesus Christ set us free so that we can live in freedom and remain free. Some people have trouble with freedom and resent those that enjoy their freedom so they try to impose their rules, regulations, convictions, and restrictions on you. "You shouldn't do this or that, it's wrong to do that, you're not supposed to go there, you're not a Christian if you..." You must learn to stand firm and not give in to the pressure that is put on you to return back to religious bondage. Don't let yourselves be enslaved again to things that are not clearly taught in Scripture. You have been born again free - so stay free!

Freedom Where The Spirit Is...

2 Corinthians 3:17 (NIV) - "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." In the New Covenant, life is empowered by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is in us, on us, and works through us. We are taught and guided by the Spirit. We don't depend on rules and regulations to keep us in step with the will of God, but, rather, we are led and kept by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is always with us speaking to our hearts so that we may know what the Lord wants us to do and say. There is such a freedom in being filled, empowered, and guided by the Holy Spirit. He works by influencing us internally rather than externally. Thank God for the liberty that we enjoy through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Walk In Freedom

Psalm 119:45 (NIV) - "I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts." God's ways are not restrictive, but liberating. When you understand that God's Word is not meant to bind or confine you or deprive you of good things, you are enabled and empowered to live in the fullness of who God has created you to be and walk in total freedom. God's words are not to be viewed as strict rules, regulations, commandments, "do not do this or that orders" that deprive you of enjoying life fully. Rather, they teach us to understand and respect God's ways - His perfect perspective - that brings us into alignment with the unique way that He has designed us. We are free to choose to the best that God has to offer us - the freedom to love, serve, and be a blessing to those He has placed in our lives. When we seek God and His Kingdom first, our priorities can then be placed in proper order and we can then freely give ourselves to pleasing God and living for Him. This is true freedom!

Free Indeed

John 8:31b,32,36 (NIV) - Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."... "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." True freedom is experienced through a relationship with Jesus, the Son of God ('I Am The Truth' John 14:6), not through an idea. Jesus reveals the truth about God and the truth about us. The religious Jews prided themselves by claiming to be Abraham's children and never having been slaves. (Huh? Did you forget about the years of bondage in Egypt?) Jesus pointed out that spiritual bondage to sin is the worst kind of slavery. The good news is that Jesus sets us free from sin and its hold over our lives! Freedom indeed! The Message says we are "free through and through." The Amplified Bible uses the words stating that we are.. "really and unquestionably free." We will continue to explore the depths of this wonderful freedom in the next few days.

Proclaim Freedom!

Luke 4:8 (NIV) - "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed..." Jesus is the Messiah, the Anointed One who has proclaimed freedom to those of us who have received Him. We were spiritually imprisoned by our sins and held captive until Jesus our Liberator set us free. We are free because of the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Freed from guilt, condemnation, and fear of punishment for our sins. We have been forgiven! Completely! Now we must learn to live in the freedom that has been proclaimed over our lives. Do not become enslaved again, by anything or anyone - discover the joy of living free! Freedom has been proclaimed by Jesus - now let us proclaim that freedom to those that are still living in bondage. The Spirit of the Lord is on us now!

Freedom!

One of the most famous phrases from the Declaration of Independence states that three aspects of man's "unalienable rights" are "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." We were created by God to be free. Freedom refers to the absence of undue restrictions or confinement and the given opportunity to exercise one's rights, powers, and desires. It's about the power of choice. I want to take this month to look at some of the Scriptural references to freedom - especially where it pertains to the freedom we have in and through Jesus Christ. Many of religion's teachings attempt to control, restrict, and restrain individuals from living in the freedom that God intends for his children. As we will discover, God has called us to live in the wonderful freedom that has been purchased for us through the sacrifice of Jesus. That does not mean that we live irresponsibly or without accountability, but that we live in full enjoyment of the spacious place of grace that God desires for us. This should be an interesting month of looking into the Word to discover God's perspective on freedom.