written December 3, 2008
The question was brought up tonight at Bible study "what does it mean to be free in Christ?" As I walked back to base, I considered just what it meant and why it is so important that I have an answer to that question that is concise and accurate.
Since I arrived in Japan, the Lord has been working in my life in miraculous ways that have delivered me from the bonds of sin and truly set me free. While this is something that I sincerely believe must be experienced to believe, I nonetheless want to share what the power of Jesus Christ can do in the life of an ordinary guy seeking to gaze upon the face of God.
One can view freedom on many different levels. African Americans surely have a view of freedom that is influenced by the slavery of their ancestors. From my own experience, I know that I can feel chained down by the Navy at times, and, while it doesn't compare to a slave's life, it factors into my thoughts on freedom from a human perspective.
But what about from God's perspective? What freedom does Scripture speak so consistently about? God freely lavishes upon us His grace by which we are saved. That concept by itself will never cease to astonish me! Jesus freely gave His life for us while we were still sinners. This is another phenomenal idea that I'm not sure I can ever grasp completely.
While these concepts are fantastic things to ponder, I'm interested in dwelling on freedom in the sense that we are free when we are in Christ. What exactly does that mean and how does one know this freedom?
From my experience, being free in Christ has been an ever-flowing source of joy since, by God's grace, I came to an understanding of what it means. How did I get there? Simply by understanding what Scripture says and believing it to be true. When I started believing the Word of God and acting by faith, the Lord began to show me just how powerfully He can work for the good of those who love Him.
So here's God's steps to freedom as I see they have happened in my life:
1. Seek to understand what Scripture says about the life of a child of God.
2. Believe it to the point that it causes you to go beyond your comfort zones because Scripture says there is something greater to be gained in Christ.
3. Rejoice in experiencing an awesome God deliver you from a false reality and into the Truth that gives freedom.
What is this freedom?
The wonderful hope of a Christian is that we are secure in Christ for all eternity. Christ is our anchor, as Tommy Nelson puts it, and He will hold strong now and forever! If that's the case (which it is!), then there is nothing that we could do or not do that would remove us from the love of Christ. God has been revealing this Truth to me and the more He does, the more freedom I experience.
I rejoice in the fact that my past, present, and future sins have been removed from me as far as the East is from the West. God chooses to remember them no more. When He looks at me, He only sees righteousness that comes from my Lord, Jesus Christ! Now that, my brothers and sisters, is FREEDOM! What a miraculous experience made possible to enjoy by a loving God!
When I think of this freedom that God blesses me with, I can think of no greater purpose in life than to surrender my life to the work of the Kingdom.
I offer these final thoughts. Don't try and be obedient to gain righteousness with God. Seek to know God and you will know that Christ is real in your life when you desire obedience. Take a chance at radical change when every impulse is telling you to go against that change. Give up any conformity to this world and expect God to show you the joy of a life that is free in Christ!
Father God, may we know the freedom that Jesus Christ offers to us. May we gaze upon your face and know your will for our lives. Set us free so that we can live our lives completely for you. We pray with expectancy to experience life-altering grace through your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
The question was brought up tonight at Bible study "what does it mean to be free in Christ?" As I walked back to base, I considered just what it meant and why it is so important that I have an answer to that question that is concise and accurate.
Since I arrived in Japan, the Lord has been working in my life in miraculous ways that have delivered me from the bonds of sin and truly set me free. While this is something that I sincerely believe must be experienced to believe, I nonetheless want to share what the power of Jesus Christ can do in the life of an ordinary guy seeking to gaze upon the face of God.
One can view freedom on many different levels. African Americans surely have a view of freedom that is influenced by the slavery of their ancestors. From my own experience, I know that I can feel chained down by the Navy at times, and, while it doesn't compare to a slave's life, it factors into my thoughts on freedom from a human perspective.
But what about from God's perspective? What freedom does Scripture speak so consistently about? God freely lavishes upon us His grace by which we are saved. That concept by itself will never cease to astonish me! Jesus freely gave His life for us while we were still sinners. This is another phenomenal idea that I'm not sure I can ever grasp completely.
While these concepts are fantastic things to ponder, I'm interested in dwelling on freedom in the sense that we are free when we are in Christ. What exactly does that mean and how does one know this freedom?
From my experience, being free in Christ has been an ever-flowing source of joy since, by God's grace, I came to an understanding of what it means. How did I get there? Simply by understanding what Scripture says and believing it to be true. When I started believing the Word of God and acting by faith, the Lord began to show me just how powerfully He can work for the good of those who love Him.
So here's God's steps to freedom as I see they have happened in my life:
1. Seek to understand what Scripture says about the life of a child of God.
2. Believe it to the point that it causes you to go beyond your comfort zones because Scripture says there is something greater to be gained in Christ.
3. Rejoice in experiencing an awesome God deliver you from a false reality and into the Truth that gives freedom.
What is this freedom?
The wonderful hope of a Christian is that we are secure in Christ for all eternity. Christ is our anchor, as Tommy Nelson puts it, and He will hold strong now and forever! If that's the case (which it is!), then there is nothing that we could do or not do that would remove us from the love of Christ. God has been revealing this Truth to me and the more He does, the more freedom I experience.
I rejoice in the fact that my past, present, and future sins have been removed from me as far as the East is from the West. God chooses to remember them no more. When He looks at me, He only sees righteousness that comes from my Lord, Jesus Christ! Now that, my brothers and sisters, is FREEDOM! What a miraculous experience made possible to enjoy by a loving God!
When I think of this freedom that God blesses me with, I can think of no greater purpose in life than to surrender my life to the work of the Kingdom.
I offer these final thoughts. Don't try and be obedient to gain righteousness with God. Seek to know God and you will know that Christ is real in your life when you desire obedience. Take a chance at radical change when every impulse is telling you to go against that change. Give up any conformity to this world and expect God to show you the joy of a life that is free in Christ!
Father God, may we know the freedom that Jesus Christ offers to us. May we gaze upon your face and know your will for our lives. Set us free so that we can live our lives completely for you. We pray with expectancy to experience life-altering grace through your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Well Matt I am continually encouraged to hear you wrestling with these scriptural truths. Praise God
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