Freedom in the Spirit

Seems like when I make the statement as in the title of this writing, “Freedom in the Spirit”, I may be saying that freedom is not tangible and really only something that we are really not able to experience. Well that is not true at all. It is the word “the” that makes it completely different and does create the tangible thing for us all to experience.

“¹⁷Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” — 2 Corinthians 3:17 (ESV)

You see, here Paul is speaking of the Holy Spirit and as we know, the Lord is the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ all in one. And therefore, when we are dwelling in the Spirit and the Spirit in us, we are dwelling in the Lord and He in us. This dwelling gives us freedom from this world and all that is in it. Actually one of you following my blog gave the comment; “Being in close communion with the Trinity frees me from the lies spewed out by gov. big business and TV which promotes hatred, worry and confusion.” and I could not agree more. When we are in the Spirit, we are free from the influences of the world and are able to live a life above the world with Jesus.

I have to be careful as I do not want to mislead and indicated that I am greater than the world, that is not the case, as I live in this world just as everyone else does and am subject to what goes on in this world. What I am saying is that I do not have to worry with what goes on in this world, as I serve a higher power and when in service of God, the consequences of the world do not concern me as it is the favor of God that I am serving and not the favor of this world.

This favor of God is what gives me the freedom to live in this world and know that I am only here for a little while, passing through on my way to heaven where I will spend eternity. In heaven I will not have to concern myself with this world as I will no longer be it in and will live free to serve and glorify God even still.

Where are you looking for freedom? Are you looking to the world to provide freedom for you? What if you were to dwell in the Spirit to experience the freedom that comes with His dwelling in you?

The World is Waiting for the Freedom of Christians

I know that this is quite the statement from me. But it is not from me at all, I have gathered this from the passage I read this morning in Romans. Paul writes about future glory in Romans 8 and part of that future glory is freedom for creation.

“¹⁹For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. ²⁰For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope ²¹that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.” — Romans 8:19-21 (ESV)

You see, right there in verse 19 Paul writes of the eager waiting by creation. And as you read further, you can see the waiting for the freedom that is experienced by the “children of God”.

Creation, the world itself, has been subjected to evil since Adam and Eve ate from the fruit in disobedience of God. Yes, the world is subjected to evil and has to wait for God’s redemption for the world to be relieved of the evil. That redemption of the world will be fully realized with the rapture and God’s win in the war with evil. So until that day, the world or creation will be waiting for the freedom that I have as a result of the gift of grace and salvation I have accepted from the LORD.

Yes I have freedom and yet the world does not. That is evident by simply watching the state of the world today and each day as we move forward. There is social upheaval, wars over ideologies, displays of “power” through authoritarian regimes, and just bad stuff happening all over. I have the ability to walk away from the evil and find solace in the family of God, as do the rest of my fellow Christians. The world does not have that ability and is subject to all that goes on in and around it.

The world waits on for the freedom of salvation. I can only do my part to bring the gift of the gospel and what salvation imparts to others. I present the gospel and allow others the opportunity to accept the free gift and experience the freedom that comes with it for themselves. Yet, the world must wait on the LORD to establish His freedom in the world as the world is not able to accept the freedom for itself.

What does freedom look like in you? What about your world, is freedom part of everywhere you go? What if you continued to do your part and brought the gospel to all persons and allowed them to accept, knowing that creation, or the world will not experience freedom until that day with Christ comes again?

Jesus’ Death and God’s Forgiveness, Once is Enough

It may sound a bit difficult to believe and after my writings to and understanding to continually ask for and seek out forgiveness from the LORD, but once is all it took for it all to take. Jesus’ death on the cross and God’s subsequent forgiveness of our sins only needed to happen once for the benefit to be realized.

“¹⁴For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified…¹⁷then he adds, ‘I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.’ ¹⁸Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.” — Hebrews 10:14 & 17-18 (ESV)

Here in Hebrews the writer reminds us of what I wrote above. The Jesus died and gave Himself as an offering of sacrifice for our sins and God recognized that sacrifice and forgave us. This one act took the place of all other sacrifices for sin that had, were, or will be offered. There is no longer the need for sacrifice for my sin as that has already been done and accepted.

But, that does not mean that I am without sin any longer. This is where the continued need for forgiveness comes in. Even with the one sacrifice and forgiveness event for my sins, I am still a sinner and in need of forgiveness. I have to recognize my sin and repent of it to the LORD in acknowledgment of His grace and salvation. I have to know that now that I have accepted grace and salvation from the LORD, I will not be plucked from His loving arms, I also have to remain humble and know that I will continue to sin and need His love each day.

Once was certainly enough for my salvation. I still need to present myself daily to the LORD on my knees in reverence of what He has given to me and ask that it continue as I will always be in need.

What process are you following for forgiveness? Are you continuing to offer sacrifice in belief that the next one will do it for the foreseeable future? What if you accepted that Jesus’ death and God’s Forgiveness was enough in the one instance and that we still need to present ourselves to Him recognizing that we are always in need?

Forgiveness, Continued Please

This morning I was brought to Hebrews and the passage titled, “Redemption Through the Blood of Christ”. Where I am thankful for the passage, I felt compelled to simply ask for continued forgiveness this morning.

As I sit here in Texas, USA, I am afforded freedom and protection (presumably) from other world actors and entities. I am up this morning reading God’s Word and blogging here without immediate fear of persecution. I am, thanks to the shed blood of Christ, have been forgiven of my sins from yesterday and of those I have yet to commit. I am a part of the family of God and know that I will not be plucked from His hand.

All of the above said, I am asking this morning for continued forgiveness and protection in this world that seems to be falling apart as we watch. Regardless of what is going on in this world, my world is protected by God, thanks to the grace and salvation that was offered by God and that I accepted to join Him in glory. And even with the grace and salvation acceptance, I still continue to ask for forgiveness as one time just is not enough in my heart to make things right with God (even though from His perspective it most certainly is enough).

You see, I know that we are in a difficult time and there are a lot of forces drawing us into the evil that is in the world. I am not going to blame anyone or any others for the position we are in, I will only apologize and ask for forgiveness and mercy from the LORD for me and His people as He is who is in control of all events and knows the outcome even now as things escalate. God is the only one who will save His people, and He will do just that, as our role is to give it to Him to do so and then do as we are asked as a part of His plan.

Our Father, thank you for your provision and blessings in our lives. Forgive me for where I have failed you and where I continue to fail you. Please have you hand of grace over your people and guide us as to where you would have us in your great plan, as it is your plan and we are here to do your will as pertains to that plan. I ask this in your name and glory, Amen.

What is your view of your standing in this world? Have you been forgiven? What if you ask for continued forgiveness, grace, and salvation and maintained your pledge to do the will of God?

We are ALL Sinners, Yet the LORD Forgives

I will continue to say it, I am a sinner and so are you. Regardless of our current status in the world and with God, sin will always be a part of us and we will forever be sinners. But, God is filled with forgiveness and for that I have to be thankful and grateful.

“³If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities,

O Lord, who could stand?

⁴But with you there is forgiveness,

that you may be feared.”

— Psalm 130:3-4 (ESV)

I have to remember that I am not worthy of anything that the LORD gives to me. Grace and salvation that are freely given by God should not be for me. I have done so much to deserve death that, as noted in the above verse, if God were keeping score, I would be so far behind that there is no possible path to catch up, let alone move into the positive.

Thankfully, the LORD is filled with forgiveness and no matter how bad it was, is, or gets, I am looked on with favor as a good and perfect gift. I have been forgiven for what I have done and will be forgiven for all that I will do. I am so grateful for the LORD and all of His forgiveness and the fact, yes, FACT that it is given and I have accepted the free gift of grace and salvation.

As I have been forgiven and do not deserve it, I owe the LORD my full gratitude and devotion. There in verse 4 above, the psalmist declares that there is fear for the LORD. Where we attribute fear with bad, here fear is attributed to reverence. I may not deserve forgiveness based on all of the sins in my life, past and present and future, the LORD deserves my gratitude for overlooking those sins, forgiving them and offering grace and salvation in spite of them. I am child of God and in such owe him all that I am, even though I will never, and I mean never repay the debt I owe, and He does not expect me to. For this I am forever grateful and thankful.

I have been forgiven regardless of the sins I have committed and so are/can you.

What sins have you committed in your life? Are you trying to pay for them in hopes that you will earn some forgiveness? What if you came to God and asked for forgiveness and accepted the gift of grace and salvation He offers knowing that you are now forgiven for all you have done and will do?

Good and Perfect Gifts are from Above

“¹⁷Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” — James 1:17 (ESV)

These are the words of James and they are powerful indeed. I am continuing my study of “gift” and this morning I am brought here to read about the good and perfect gifts from above. What is meant “from above” in my thoughts here are me.

I know, a bit self-serving in what I am reading and thinking of and really shouldn’t I dig deeper into the passage to understand and not just pick and choose verses to fit my own thoughts? Yes, and that is what I have done as seen here in the following verse from James.

“¹⁸Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” — James 1:18 (ESV)

See that James calls out that we were “brought forth” and are “firstfruits” of God. I was created by God and am a good and perfect gift of His. I was brought forth in this world to bring the gospel to others and to bring glory to Him. I just as noted, a “good gift…perfect gift” and was sent here from above.

I hear what I just wrote and want to clarify. I am NOT perfect. I do not claim to be anything other than what I am. I was created in the image of God and my purpose is to bring the gospel to this world as noted in His Word.

“¹⁹Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” — Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)

From the words of Jesus Himself, I am to go and make more disciples of everyone. I am to to do so in the name of God who created and sent me to do so. I am the good and perfect gift of God.

How do you see yourself in this world? Do you see yourself as just existing and wondering how and where you fit? What if you looked at yourself as God’s good and perfect gift sent out in this world to bring glory to Him and the gospel to everyone?

Accepted Gift or Just Received

This morning I was again reminded (has happened a lot over the past couple weeks) that the gift of grace and salvation from God is free to all, yet requires acceptance and not just receipt. I wrote first of the difference in the two about two weeks ago and it continues to manifest daily in my study of the word “gift”.

Receive: to come into possession of: acquire

Accept: to receive (something offered) willingly

— Merriam-Webster Online

Notice the difference in the definition above. Accepting is the willing acquisition of something where as receiving is just acquiring it. As pertains to grace and salvation, we all are provided the gift and receive them from God. Managing them in our lives and using them to bring glory to God requires acceptance.

Now, on to this mornings learning and reminders for me. Once I have truly accepted the gift of grace and salvation from God I have it forever. It is in the word “truly” in the previous sentence that drives that home. I can receive the gift and yet not accept it. I can be involved in the community of Christ yet not be a member. It is the acceptance of the gift and becoming a member of the family of God where I am found.

“⁴For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, ⁵and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, ⁶and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.” — Hebrews 6:4-6 (ESV)

There are a lot of thoughts as to what is meant here. I happen to believe as I noted above that it refers to the difference in the receipt and acceptance of the gift of grace and salvation. It is possible for someone to be involved in the community of Christ and yet not be a member. There are many examples of those who have pretended to be followers of Christ for the optics of what that represents and then when they walk away after church, return to the life of secularism. These are those who have received the gift of grace and salvation, yet did not take the chance to accept the gift.

“⁷For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. ⁸But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned.” — Hebrews 6:7-8 (ESV)

And there it is, the difference in receiving and accepting in the example of land and rain. Rain will come and the land will receive it, yet whether or not it is accepting and using it in cultivation, that is the question. All of the land receives the gift of rain, yet not all of the land is accepting of the rain to be used in cultivation.

For me, I have to be thankful for the LORD and His gift of grace and salvation. I am in the position to receive the gift and for that I am also thankful. Where things get good are only when I have accepted the gift and as noted in Timothy, I have “fan into flame the gift of God”. This is where I will find the chance to truly bring glory to Him.

What is the status of the gift of grace and salvation in your life? Have you received it as others have and then go back to the world? What if you received and then accepted the gift to be used and cultivated into the glorification of God?

Gift From God, Just Because

Gifts come for all sorts of reasons. There is the Christmas gift, the birthday gift, the wedding gift, the retirement gift, the graduation gift, the attendance gift, and on and on. Ultimately the gifts are for achieving something or reaching some milestone or for some sort of event. These are not new and in some respects are expected.

Now what about a gift that is given to which there is nothing you have to do or achieve or milestone or event. Imagine a gift that is given just because of the love for you. A gift to which you do not have to earn, nay, cannot earn. A gift for you that is free and all you have to do is accept. Well that is the gift of salvation given through the grace of God.

“⁸For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” — Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)

I really like verse nine above, “not a result of works”. I do not have to do anything to earn this gift. I do not have to reach a milestone. I do not have to achieve a level of attainment. I only have to accept the gift that is freely given just because God wants me to have it.

That is the way Christ works. He freely gives. He only wants me to have. He has provided for and blessed me with all that I have. Yes, there is work that I have done in this world to acquire things, but it would not have been made possible without the freely given provisions and blessings of God. All just because He loves me and only wants the best for me. And all I have to do is accept the gift and use it to glorify Him.

What do you receive gifts for? Are you doing things expecting those gifts to come as a result? What if you were to just look to God and accept the gift that He has for you that is given just because?

God’s Gift, Inexpressible

Have you ever been at a loss for words due to experiencing some sort of event in your life? I know that I have and one of those captures my attention every day, the gift of grace from the LORD. I have been blessed to experience the grace of God on a regular basis and there is no real reason for it. I am not a captain of industry or an overtly recognizable public figure. I am a child of God struggling daily to get along in this world and yet, He gives me grace at every turn.

“¹⁵Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” — 2 Corinthians 9:15 (ESV)

If God’s grace is inexpressible, then how is it that I am to let others know of the grace that I am afforded by God. Well, that is in my actions of bringing glory to Him through generosity and love provided for others. I do not need to make it known to all through my words, I can and should rely on my actions to demonstrate the grace provided of God.

“¹⁰He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. ¹¹You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. ¹²For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.” — 2 Corinthians 9:10-12 (ESV)

My role in all is to provide for the needs of others. Whether that is monetarily or in actions. Just the other day, Lori and I were out to dinner and as we were headed to the car, we noticed an older couple struggling to get to the car. We had a choice, get our vehicle and head home or lend a hand and demonstrate the grace God provides for us. Of course, we assisted them in getting to the car and what a witness it was. We did not ask for anything in return, and yet we were blessed beyond belief in knowing that we enriched someone thanks to the grace of God and His gift to us.

“¹³By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, ¹⁴while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you.” — 2 Corinthians 9:13-14 (ESV)

It is my role to contribute to others with a generous heart that is filled with the grace of God. He gives freely to me and I am tasked with doing the same with those around me. I don’t do it for the recognition and frankly, as Paul notes, the gift of God’s grace is “inexpressible”. Yet I can demonstrate His grace in my life by giving grace to others freely and generously.

What is your thought on the gift of grace from God? Are you working daily to find the way to express your receipt of that grace? What if you recognized that you are unable to sufficiently express that gift and instead, demonstrated the gift of God through your generous actions and giving to others?

Works Now, Grace Before I Began

This morning I am looking at another realization as I study “works”. Grace was granted by God well before I began. Yes, I know, I have looked at that grace comes before works as I am not able to “earn” my way to salvation from works, the works are a demonstration of my salvation given by God through grace and my faith in Him. But His grace predates my existence here in this world.

“⁸Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, ⁹who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,” — 2 Timothy 1:8-9 (ESV)

Paul has written to Timothy 2000 years ago and he indicates that God provided grace “before the ages began”. I came along in the now, relatively, and that puts me even further out from when grace was given. Therefore grace did come well before I began and my works are only a result of that grace.

The thing that I have learned, or was reminded and realized is that God’s grace was eternal and will be eternal. He gave it long ago for those who would receive and will continue to give to those who did receive and have yet to receive. It is faith in His grace where I have to remember to reside and do the works to demonstrate that faith in His grace.

Now that I have learned or reminded and realized of God’s grace well before I began, it is important that I remember it as I progress forward in this world and lean on His grace for all of my actions and works. I have to guard against being influenced by the world and falling into the trap of trying to “earn” my way. I have to trust Him and follow His direction.

“¹³Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.” — 2 Timothy 1:13-14 (ESV)

Where are you leaning as you move forward? Are you leaning on the now with the works that you are doing and trying to earn your way? What if you realized that you have already received the grace that was given you even “before the ages began”?