2 Corinthians 3: 16 - 18 NKJV
Where the Lord is...there is liberty. This all sounds pretty good in scripture, but why is it that so many have not taken advantage of what Christ has to offer us? Freedom in knowing that our scars are healed. Freedom in the knowing we have overcome this fallen world. It all sounds like a no brainer. Yet all too often we stand aside, tell ourselves "I got this!" and go our own way. Like shoppers obsessed with finding that latest bargain, we all too often pull ourselves away from what we know is right and instead go down the path of independence. The apostle Paul tells in Galations 5 that we should no longer submit to that bondage of slavery. Now, when someone mentions that word slavery, it may very well conjur up some strong emotions. However, just as slaves will be expected to submit to the will of their masters, so it is with those who continue to follow the path of their own sin. I've heard more than a few christians tell of how they felt trapped in their own sin before opening their hearts to Christ Jesus. How even though they knew better, they felt compelled to obey its call. I'm not sure if this was by habit or simply becoming set in our behaviors, but I've been there so I can vouch for some of the feelings that others have gone through on the road to finding their own freedom in Jesus. Make no mistake, it is Jesus who desires that ALL of our Lords children would choose that freedom which He offers to us. This isn't some exclusive club where only the most righteous, the biggest tither or the regular bible reader will find membership. No, for it is not by our own desperate efforts that we will be saved {Ephesians 2: 8-9}. Indeed, how much more would I be able to boast among my brethren if through my own efforts I would gain entry into eternity in my Lords graces? How utterly selfish of anyone to claim that they themselves were responsible for their own salvation. Even though Paul warns us of this folly, we all too often strike out on our own to claim Gods free gift for all.
20“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
Galations 2: 20 NKJV
There is a condition which has been described as the Stockholm syndrome. The stockholm syndrome is a condition where one being held against their own will will develop feelings of trust and/or sympathy for those who hold them hostage. One former army Delta Force trooper claimed that dealing with terrorists was easier than dealing with the psychological damage they left behind. I agree. For the physical can be neutralized...not so our emotions. So, what does this have to do with our freedom in Jesus? Well, despite the damages and pitfalls of living with that belief that we are in sin, we continue to do just that. A dear friend of mine told me a story of a conversation which he had once with his wife. Frustrated by lifes circumstances, he once complained to his wife that "Everytime I do this something bad happens!" The funny thing about this is that one look from his wife brought my friend to his "Aha!" moment. So often we dabble in our behavior knowing full well that we're doing wrong. That isn't freedom.
Not too long ago, Dennis and I spent a few hours at the home of a friend where the discussion turned to the very subject of freedom. One after the other, those who were gathered expressed the freedom they felt that morning. A freedom to gather in the presence of Jesus without the trappings of institutional religious traditions. There were no praise and worship rock bands, no sermon and no offering, yet we all agreed that we felt closer to Jesus than we ever had in any church. This is the freedom we have in Christ. There is neither guilt, condemnation nor religious expectations in His presence. What we do find in Jesus is love. We know that His Spirit of love lives through us today {Galations 2:20}. And what is freedom without love?
7Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1 John 4: 7 - 10 NKJV
~Scott~
2 comments:
Yes, yes, Christ died for me to save me from sin's penalty, but how does that help me live free from the desire to sin?
I'm sure you'll fill us in on Sunday D :)
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