Bound Freedom

Bound Freedom

1 Corinthians 7: ³⁹ A married woman is not free as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, then she is free to be married to any man she wishes, but only if he is a Christian. ⁴⁰ She will be happier, however, if she stays as she is. That is my opinion, and I think that I too have God's Spirit.

 

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“I can’t wait until I am adult” I thought to myself. I had too many rules to follow and I wanted to be “free.” Little did I know that when I grew up, the “rules” provided me with freedom.

 

• When I was immature, I saw the “rules” as the problem.
• When I was unaware, I saw the “rules” as a barrier to my “freedom.”
• When I was being lied to, I saw the “rules” as a way to hold me down from having “fun.”

 

Paul concludes answering the questions sent to him about marriage. He provides guidance for widows concerning remarriage. He did this by focusing in on the SPIRIT of the LORD and aligning his response with GOD’s desires.

 

• GOD wants me to be free within HIS rules.
• GOD wants me to be free from the world but follow HIS rules while living in the world.
• GOD wants me to be free from the slavery of sin so I can speak about HIS SON.

 

Sin will lie about freedom. I mean, sin will tell me that it is better than following GOD’s rules. Single moments of selfishness or hatred or pleasure usually end up in worse situations, but sin would make me think those things bring freedom.

 

GOD wants me to see that by being bound to HIM, I am set free. The sin that so easily tosses me around, causing more turmoil in my life, no longer enslaves me. Yes, I sin. But GOD’s amazing grace is sufficient to cleanse me of the unrighteousness I so easily fall into. I gladly bind myself to GOD so I can receive HIS freedom.

 

• Do you long to be “free?”
• What is in your heart that actually enslaves you?
• Will you ask GOD to set you free from all the things that hold you back from true freedom today?

Kindness Taken for Granted

 

Kindness Taken for Granted

Romans 11: ¹⁹ But you will say, “Yes, but the branches were broken off to make room for me.” ²⁰ That is true. They were broken off because they did not believe, while you remain in place because you do believe. But do not be proud of it; instead, be afraid. ²¹ God did not spare the Jews, who are like natural branches; do you think he will spare you? ²² Here we see how kind and how severe God is. He is severe toward those who have fallen, but kind to you—if you continue in his kindness. But if you do not, you too will be broken off. ²³ And if the Jews abandon their unbelief, they will be put back in the place where they were; for God is able to do that. ²⁴ You Gentiles are like the branch of a wild olive tree that is broken off and then, contrary to nature, is joined to a cultivated olive tree. The Jews are like this cultivated tree; and it will be much easier for God to join these broken-off branches to their own tree again.

 

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After being invited to stay for dinner, I felt like I had a second family. I was delighted that my friend’s parents took me in as they did. I started showing up more and more. Soon I became comfortable in their house. We laughed and played music loudly. Then I heard “Turn that music down and start cleaning up!” Uh-oh. Maybe I was getting too comfortable.

 

• There were times when I took someone’s kindness for granted.
• There were times when I got a little too comfortable with someone’s kindness.
• There were times when I was not afraid of my actions when I should have been.

 

Paul carefully explains to the Gentiles that they should not brag about being added to GOD’s family. GOD showed tremendous kindness when HE adopted everyone who believes in JESUS into HIS family.

 

But while GOD is kind, HE is also severe to those who fall away from HIM. HE cannot wait for HIS chosen people to turn back to HIM, but HE is willing to break off the branch of those who refuse to believe in JESUS.

 

• GOD wants me to believe in JESUS for the forgiveness of all my sins.
• GOD wants me to be relieved that I can still sin and be saved by grace.
• GOD wants me to reduce sinning day by day so I will not fall into HIS wrath of consequence for sinning.

 

JESUS paid it all. HIS death, burial and resurrection took care of any sin I could ever do. BUT GOD still has another side, namely wrath. HE sees when I try to do things without HIM and allows me to go my own way.

 

I fall into sin and GOD allows a small amount of wrath to come into my life. Fortunately HE doesn’t pour out HIS full wrath on me, just enough to get my attention. I am grateful for HIS correction.

 

• Are you taking GOD’s kindness for granted?
• Do you think HE does not see the sin you are hiding or will not do something about what you have done?
• Will you thank GOD for saving you and ask HIM how HE wants you to follow HIM today?

Wet Paint, Hot Stove

 

Wet Paint, Hot Stove

Romans 7: ⁹ Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. ¹⁰ I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death. ¹¹ For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death. ¹² So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.

 

¹³ Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! Nevertheless, in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it used what is good to bring about my death, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.

 

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“Don’t touch that. The paint is wet” were the words that made me want to touch the wall. “Wet cement” seemed like an invitation to write my initials. “Hot stove, do not touch” seemed like a suggestion to try it out. But I obeyed and did not touch or write my initials.

 

But then someone said “Don’t worry.” Wait. Don’t worry about what? Now I couldn’t stop thinking about the thing I wasn’t supposed to worry about. I worried about my worry.

 

Some things that were brought to my awareness made me want to try it.

Some things that I would have never tried, I did because it was put in front of me.

Some things that should have been avoided, I got into because someone told me not to.

 

Paul talks about how sin used what is good to cause death. The Law was made to protect humans, but sin used it to entice people to do the opposite of the Law, thus causing death. Sin is recognized through the Law.

 

GOD wants me to follow HIS ways.

GOD wants me to learn about HIM so I can be protected from the consequences of sin.

GOD wants me to seek HIM daily so I will not pursue sin that fools me into thinking it is better than HIS way.

 

“Do not worry” or “Do not get angry” makes me more worried and very angry. I mean, how am I supposed to not be afraid of the unknown? Fortunately GOD took care of my problems with following the Law. JESUS died for me and was raised from the dead. By believing in HIS saving power I can follow HIS ways when I fall.

 

When I get worried, GOD enables me to see HIS power and promises. After a while, I’m not so worried. When I get angry, GOD shows me a way to have peace and suddenly the anger dissipates. The wet paint and hot stoves become easier for me not to touch when I recognize GOD is trying to protect me. I am glad HE loves me.

 

Have your desires gotten the best of you?

Do you want things that may be opposite of what GOD wants for you?

Will you surrender your life to GOD so HE can guide you to HIS powerful purpose today?

Bad Introduction

 

Bad Introduction

Romans 5: ¹² Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—

 

¹³ To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law. ¹⁴ Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come.

 

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“Go ahead, try it”, were the words of the dare. I had not used a “curse” word in my life and I was dared to do so. I said the word and received laughter. I then tried all kinds of “curse” words and soon they were part of my normal language. What’s the big deal? I fit in.

 

• There was a time when I wanted to fit in.
• There was a time when I would follow what the crowd did.
• There was a time when I did the wrong thing and felt part of the crowd.

 

Paul mentions the beginning of sin through Adam. His sin was disobeying GOD by eating from the one tree he was told to stay away from. Satan tempted Adam into eating the fruit, twisting GOD’s command.

 

What’s the big deal? Adam fell for the temptation and death was introduced to humans. All humans now deserved to be separated from GOD because of one simple act that did not seem to be a big deal.

 

• GOD knew sin was introduced to me before I was born.
• GOD knew I would choose sin over HIM because everyone around me are sinners too.
• GOD knew HE had the only remedy to my sin, namely HE had to die just for me.

 

It’s not fair, one would say. I mean, everyone has to go to hell just because of one person? Yes. BUT GOD wasn’t having it. JESUS, being GOD, volunteered to take on the punishment HE decreed. Anyone who sins deserves death, no matter how small the sin.

 

This, seemingly extreme, sentence was overcome by JESUS. “I’ll die for everyone”, HE volunteered. JESUS enabled me to not suffer for eternity.  I am truly grateful HE broke the pattern of death for me.

 

• Are you excusing what you are doing because everyone else is doing it?
• Have you or others declared you as “good?”
• Will you look to JESUS as the only one who is good and seek HIM for salvation and guidance today?

As long as I am here

As long as I am here

John 9: Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. ² And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

³ Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. ⁴ I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. ⁵ As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

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Holding my breath, I sped into the greasy, urine laced bathroom. It was the only option. On my way out, I remembered the words of one of the leader’s at work… “Leave a place better than you found it.” I looked at the overflowing garbage and knew I could not do anything about it. Instead, I cleaned the greasy sink as I washed my hands.

• Sometimes the situations that I face are really undesirable.
• Sometimes the solution that I come up with may be small.
• Sometimes I have to do something as long as I am here.

“Why is this man blind?” JESUS disciples questioned. They were on the right track because they believed everything stemmed from a spiritual nature. “Did he sin or his parents?” JESUS guides their thinking and provided the root cause of the blindness. “So GOD can should be revealed in him.”

• GOD wants me to serve HIM while I am alive.
• GOD wants me to serve others as long as I am living.
• GOD wants me to make the place a little better as long as I am in the world.

Solving poverty, abuse, neglect, pollution, crime, racism, and sexual misconduct seem overwhelming at times. Any one of those sins could have me dedicate my entire life trying to eradicate them from humans. BUT GOD gives me a different view.

HE wants me to see each person I encounter as unique. I can confess a variety sins I have done and explain how JESUS forgave them all. I can then spread HIS hope of an eternal future that only comes from HIM. As long as I am in the world, I may as well serve the Living GOD.

• What do you do daily?
• Why has GOD left you alive?
• Will you live your life for HIM, even if it is a smile or a word of encouragement to a stranger today?