The Gospel and the Grace of God: Part 9
STEPS TO FREEDOM
Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.
And now, the end is near
And so I face the final curtain
My friend, I'll say it clear
I'll state my case, of which I'm certain.
I've lived a life that's full,
I traveled each and every highway
And more, much more than this,
I did it my way.
~ My Way ~
Artist | Frank Sinatra
Composer | Claude Francois, Gilles Thibaut, Jacques Revaux
Lyricist | Paul Anka
Publisher | BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, JEUNE MUSIQUE EDITIONS, WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC FRANCE
John 8:36 “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
I am not a fan of Christianity. For many years I have been what some might call a 'militant atheist': the type who is far more likely to catalogue the pitfalls of faith than to highlight the benefits. But more and more I am enamoured of one element of Christianity that I consider its most striking, and most laudable, feature: forgiveness.
~ eurekastreet.com ~
The first responsibility is the FREEDOM TO FIGHT FOR IT.
Galatians 5:1 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Ephesians 6:13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
John 15:4-5 “No branch can bear fruit by itself…If you remain in Me, and I in you…you will bear much fruit.”
1 Timothy 4:7-8 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
Second Responsibility | we have FREEDOM to BELIEVE
Galatians 5:2-6 Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.
You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
Galatians 1:10 Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Romans 14:23 . . . whatever is not of faith is sin.
God gave me a simple exercise. Every day, before I ran out the door, I sat at the top of my stairs and quieted my heart for just a few moments. I closed my eyes and imagined what my day would look like if I was completely loved, accepted and validated by God.
In that posture, I began to let go of tying that need to people. I learned to reset my compass and listen to a new voice of love and approval. What’s the difference? I’m living from approval, not for approval. God, you love me. There’s nothing I can do today that’s going to change it. Nothing.
Third responsibility | Freedom from False Teachings
Galatians 5:7-12 You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.”
I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty.
Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!
Mark 10:18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good — except God alone.”
Psalm 19:9 The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous.
So, our anger is righteous when we are angered over evil that profanes God’s holiness and perverts his goodness.
Finally we have a responsibility in our FREEDOM to Choose Love
Galatians 5:13-15 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.”
John 13:15 “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”
John 13:12b “Do you understand what I have done for you?”
John 14:15-16 “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to help you and love you forever – the Spirit of Truth.”
Forgiveness stands out among religious virtues because it one of the most difficult to put into practice, particularly in the terms that Christ put it: love your enemies; turn the other cheek; forgive those who have wronged you.
It's also one of the most unfashionable virtues going around, at least in the public discourse, as it's rare to see either Christians or non-Christians urging forgiveness.
~ eurekastreet.com ~