WHEN THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS IN US, WE UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS FREEDOM IN US.
WHAT IS THIS FREEDOM?
The freedom talked about here is the freedom from DEATH.
Luke 15:24 - the father of the prodigal son said, "For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate. This celebration shows the freedom. We celebrate on several occasions and this one. Is there any other freedom greater than this? According to me, there's greater than passing on from death to life. We are talking about the spiritual death in this context. We were all dead in sin and through Jesus Christ our Lord who brought us back to life through His physical death, burial and resurrection, he gave us the hope of life of eternity at the time of his (Lord's) coming.
Freedom from SIN.
Romans 6:23 - "But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, you have your fruit unto holiness and everlasting life."
Through this scripture we understand that once we were slaves of SIN which involved disobedience to God and all other profane acts by us. We were into this slavery because we were not much aware of the LIFE AFTER DEATH and also we didn't even pay attention to what being in SIN would lead us to. Now that we know the wages of SIN is DEATH but those who live a SIN-FREE life on this earth would have ETERNAL LIFE through Jesus Christ our Lord, we understand that on showing our obedience to God's word through our actions, we are set free from the life of SIN. Now SIN can't rule us but Christ is the one who rules us. We are saved by grace of our Lord Jesus Christ through FAITH.
Through this scripture we understand that once we were slaves of SIN which involved disobedience to God and all other profane acts by us. We were into this slavery because we were not much aware of the LIFE AFTER DEATH and also we didn't even pay attention to what being in SIN would lead us to. Now that we know the wages of SIN is DEATH but those who live a SIN-FREE life on this earth would have ETERNAL LIFE through Jesus Christ our Lord, we understand that on showing our obedience to God's word through our actions, we are set free from the life of SIN. Now SIN can't rule us but Christ is the one who rules us. We are saved by grace of our Lord Jesus Christ through FAITH.
Freedom from FEAR.
Many of us have the fear of DEATH and its master SATAN.
Those having faith in the RESURRECTION through our Lord Jesus Christ are free from the fear of DEATH. Those whose master is CHRIST, has no fear of SATAN for the Lord defeated him and DEATH. For the psalmist says, (concerning death...)
"Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you (Lord) are close beside me." Psalm 23:4.
"As for me, God will redeem my life. He will snatch me from the power of death." Psalm 49:15.
In the book of Isaiah we find the death being swallowed -
"He will swallow up death forever! The Sovereign LORD will wipe away all tears." Isaiah 25:8.
As in the words of Jesus, "I assure you, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life." John 5:24.
Those having faith in the RESURRECTION through our Lord Jesus Christ are free from the fear of DEATH. Those whose master is CHRIST, has no fear of SATAN for the Lord defeated him and DEATH. For the psalmist says, (concerning death...)
"Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you (Lord) are close beside me." Psalm 23:4.
"As for me, God will redeem my life. He will snatch me from the power of death." Psalm 49:15.
In the book of Isaiah we find the death being swallowed -
"He will swallow up death forever! The Sovereign LORD will wipe away all tears." Isaiah 25:8.
As in the words of Jesus, "I assure you, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life." John 5:24.
Concerning SATAN....
GOD WILL ALWAYS BE ON YOUR SIDE AGAINST SATAN.
That is such a glorious truth that brings us so much encouragement, comfort and victory, that we should share to the whole world with an experience. The Bible says "Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). The Name of Jesus is at which Satan will always flee.
When we submit ourselves to God through Lord Jesus, we should not feel that "we are something and God is everything" but we should feel "we are nothing and God is everything". When we feel we are something, we try to put some efforts to win over something but it is not that easy concerning spiritual realms. It is possible only through the Lord our God who is the spirit. Submission or Surrenderance should be complete.
Hebrews 2:14-15
14 For as much then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
GOD WILL ALWAYS BE ON YOUR SIDE AGAINST SATAN.
That is such a glorious truth that brings us so much encouragement, comfort and victory, that we should share to the whole world with an experience. The Bible says "Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). The Name of Jesus is at which Satan will always flee.
When we submit ourselves to God through Lord Jesus, we should not feel that "we are something and God is everything" but we should feel "we are nothing and God is everything". When we feel we are something, we try to put some efforts to win over something but it is not that easy concerning spiritual realms. It is possible only through the Lord our God who is the spirit. Submission or Surrenderance should be complete.
Hebrews 2:14-15
14 For as much then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
There are some who ask if there is devil and demons. The Bible clearly specifies the powers of darkness is from the DEVIL / SATAN and his followers.
Are Demons in the World Today?
We affirm that the Bible admonishes Christians to expect Satan and demons to operate now much as they did in both Old Testament and New Testament times (1 Pet. 5:6–11).
The word 'OPERATE' makes it clear that the existence of demon is there. In Scripture, Satan and demons prominently involved themselves with spiritual darkness (Eph. 6:12), deception (2 Cor. 11:13–15), and death (John 8:44).
But after the victory of Jesus over death and Satan, and we being a part of the resurrected Lord in experience, we too have victory over demon.
But what is the power of demon/Satan?
Demons possess the great power of angels (Rom. 8:38; 1 Cor. 15:24), greater than humans but far less than their Creator. They have the power to carry out the following actions:
Indwell humans and animals (Mark 5:1–16).
Physically afflict people (Mark 9:17, 22).
Terrorize humans (1 Sam. 16:14–15; 18:10; 19:9; Acts 19:13–16; 2 Cor. 12:7)
Initiate false worship (1 Cor. 10:20–21)
Promote false doctrines (1 Tim. 4:1)
Perform false signs and wonders (2 Thess. 2:9; Rev. 16:13–14)
Deceive prophets (1 Kings 22:19–23)
Encourage idolatry (Deut. 32:17; Ps. 106:37)
Engineer death (Judg. 9:23, 56–57).
Are Demons in the World Today?
We affirm that the Bible admonishes Christians to expect Satan and demons to operate now much as they did in both Old Testament and New Testament times (1 Pet. 5:6–11).
The word 'OPERATE' makes it clear that the existence of demon is there. In Scripture, Satan and demons prominently involved themselves with spiritual darkness (Eph. 6:12), deception (2 Cor. 11:13–15), and death (John 8:44).
But after the victory of Jesus over death and Satan, and we being a part of the resurrected Lord in experience, we too have victory over demon.
But what is the power of demon/Satan?
Demons possess the great power of angels (Rom. 8:38; 1 Cor. 15:24), greater than humans but far less than their Creator. They have the power to carry out the following actions:
Indwell humans and animals (Mark 5:1–16).
Physically afflict people (Mark 9:17, 22).
Terrorize humans (1 Sam. 16:14–15; 18:10; 19:9; Acts 19:13–16; 2 Cor. 12:7)
Initiate false worship (1 Cor. 10:20–21)
Promote false doctrines (1 Tim. 4:1)
Perform false signs and wonders (2 Thess. 2:9; Rev. 16:13–14)
Deceive prophets (1 Kings 22:19–23)
Encourage idolatry (Deut. 32:17; Ps. 106:37)
Engineer death (Judg. 9:23, 56–57).
Demons work from a powerful heavenly hierarchy to execute their evil deeds. Words such as “angels,” “authorities,” “cosmic powers,” “dominions,” “powers,” “rulers,” and “thrones” can be used to describe the hierarchies of either holy or evil angels. In context, Romans 8:38; 1 Corinthians 15:24; Ephesians 2:2; 6:12; and Colossians 2:15 most likely refer to various ranks or levels among the evil angels, that is, the demon hierarchy. In context, Ephesians 1:21; Colossians 1:16; and 1 Peter 3:22 most likely refer to various ranks or levels in the holy angel hierarchy.
FREE TO PREACH THE GOSPEL
We may have obstacles against preaching the good news of Salvation through Jesus Christ, but we also have various ways of doing that which the Lord Himself would reveal at the right time to us by some means.
Galatians 5:13
For, brothers, you have been called to liberty; use not the liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. (Preaching is one of the services).
What is the GOSPEL that can be preached?
They are related to our day-today life issues which are linked with our attitude while dealing with them. Through the scriptures we learn how Jesus Christ dealt with them just show us how we can deal with them. Jesus said, "My meat is to do the will of God who has sent me and to finish his work".
We can see from this verse that one of the sole purposes of Jesus’ existence as a human is to do His Father’s work. He is so CONSUMED with the desire of preaching the Gospel that it becomes His food. So much more that He considers that He will not live without the food he gets from preaching the gospel and doing the work of God.
Paul’s most emphatic words to Timothy were, “Preach the Word!” (2 Timothy 4:2).
Is preaching the gospel the New Testament (NT) concept?
Let us find something from the Old Testament (OT):
Twice God told Ezekiel: “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me” (Ezekiel 3:17; compare Ezekiel 33:1-9).
Ezekiel wasn’t the only Hebrew prophet to occupy the role of a watchman. For God had also told Isaiah: “Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he sees” (Isaiah 21:6).
The Church’s role to alert people of their sins and the consequences of those sins is not only a message found in Ezekiel and Isaiah, but also in Jeremiah, Daniel and the 12 Minor Prophets. It is discovered in Christ’s Olivet Prophecy, Paul’s prophetic warnings and the book of Revelation. Christ's Olivet Prophecy is the orderly and extended teaching given by Jesus Christ on the Mount of Olives in which his teachings were about the subject 'the End Times'. The words of Paul in Colossians 1:28 compel us to “preach that all may be a part of Jesus at the time of His coming.
Isaiah 58:1 sums up the essence of this particular aspect of the overall gospel message: “Cry aloud, spare not; lift up your voice like a trumpet; tell My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” Remember that sin is the transgression of God’s law (1 John 3:4).
Here the preaching is in the form of warning.
Is PREACHING THE GOSPEL our freedom?
It is, in fact, a commandment of God to every Christ's follower.
God commands us to preach when it’s convenient and when it’s not, to reprove, rebuke, encourage with great patience and instruction. (2 Tim. 4:2).
It is an effective way to influence people:
Preaching is one of the most effective ways of winning people to faith in Jesus Christ. (Mk. 16:15).
Historically, preaching has become the principle means of leading, teaching, and feeding the flock of God. (Jn. 21:15-17). Here, feeding the flock is nothing feeding the people with the word of God.
We may have obstacles against preaching the good news of Salvation through Jesus Christ, but we also have various ways of doing that which the Lord Himself would reveal at the right time to us by some means.
Galatians 5:13
For, brothers, you have been called to liberty; use not the liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. (Preaching is one of the services).
What is the GOSPEL that can be preached?
They are related to our day-today life issues which are linked with our attitude while dealing with them. Through the scriptures we learn how Jesus Christ dealt with them just show us how we can deal with them. Jesus said, "My meat is to do the will of God who has sent me and to finish his work".
We can see from this verse that one of the sole purposes of Jesus’ existence as a human is to do His Father’s work. He is so CONSUMED with the desire of preaching the Gospel that it becomes His food. So much more that He considers that He will not live without the food he gets from preaching the gospel and doing the work of God.
Paul’s most emphatic words to Timothy were, “Preach the Word!” (2 Timothy 4:2).
Is preaching the gospel the New Testament (NT) concept?
Let us find something from the Old Testament (OT):
Twice God told Ezekiel: “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me” (Ezekiel 3:17; compare Ezekiel 33:1-9).
Ezekiel wasn’t the only Hebrew prophet to occupy the role of a watchman. For God had also told Isaiah: “Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he sees” (Isaiah 21:6).
The Church’s role to alert people of their sins and the consequences of those sins is not only a message found in Ezekiel and Isaiah, but also in Jeremiah, Daniel and the 12 Minor Prophets. It is discovered in Christ’s Olivet Prophecy, Paul’s prophetic warnings and the book of Revelation. Christ's Olivet Prophecy is the orderly and extended teaching given by Jesus Christ on the Mount of Olives in which his teachings were about the subject 'the End Times'. The words of Paul in Colossians 1:28 compel us to “preach that all may be a part of Jesus at the time of His coming.
Isaiah 58:1 sums up the essence of this particular aspect of the overall gospel message: “Cry aloud, spare not; lift up your voice like a trumpet; tell My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” Remember that sin is the transgression of God’s law (1 John 3:4).
Here the preaching is in the form of warning.
Is PREACHING THE GOSPEL our freedom?
It is, in fact, a commandment of God to every Christ's follower.
God commands us to preach when it’s convenient and when it’s not, to reprove, rebuke, encourage with great patience and instruction. (2 Tim. 4:2).
It is an effective way to influence people:
Preaching is one of the most effective ways of winning people to faith in Jesus Christ. (Mk. 16:15).
Historically, preaching has become the principle means of leading, teaching, and feeding the flock of God. (Jn. 21:15-17). Here, feeding the flock is nothing feeding the people with the word of God.
WE ARE FREE FROM LAW
Romans 10:4 says: "Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes". This will help in understanding what is means that Christians are not under the law.
Paul clarifies the effects of original sin through Romans 2:12 - "For as many as have sinned without LAW, shall also perish without LAW and as many as have sinned in the LAW, shall be judged by the LAW".
Accordingly, all have sinned and have fallen short of God's glory which means all deserve the punishment - Romans 3:23.
Without Christ, we are condemned in God’s sight by the Law that was given through His servant Moses.
Then what about those who are not Jewish that know not the Mosaic Law (including the moral and ceremonial laws)? Do they not come under judgement and condemnation?
This is dealt with by the Apostle in Romans 2:14-15, where he states that the Gentiles have the essence of God’s legal requirements already ingrained and so are just as much without excuse.
14 "The Gentiles do not have the Law; but whenever they do by instinct what the Law commands, they are their own law, even though they do not have the Law."
15 "Their conduct shows that what the Law commands is written in their hearts. Their consciences also show that this is true, since their thoughts sometimes accuse them and sometimes defend them."
The Law is the issue that has to be dealt with in order to bring us into a right relationship with God but the LAW doesn't make anyone righteous.
"Know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified" (Galatians 2:16).
Christ Jesus redeemed us from the curse that has been brought through the law by becoming a curse for us (Galatians 3:13).
LAW brought the curse/punishment,but through Jesus Christ, we got the redemption from sin and death.
What the LAW couldn't do was done by Jesus Christ through his life on earth, suffering, death, burial, resurrection and ascension.
WE HAVE NOT BECOME FREE OURSELVES BUT CHRIST MADE US FREE
John 8:36 tells us, "If the Son, therefore, shall make you free, you shall be free indeed".
Romans 10:4 says: "Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes". This will help in understanding what is means that Christians are not under the law.
Paul clarifies the effects of original sin through Romans 2:12 - "For as many as have sinned without LAW, shall also perish without LAW and as many as have sinned in the LAW, shall be judged by the LAW".
Accordingly, all have sinned and have fallen short of God's glory which means all deserve the punishment - Romans 3:23.
Without Christ, we are condemned in God’s sight by the Law that was given through His servant Moses.
Then what about those who are not Jewish that know not the Mosaic Law (including the moral and ceremonial laws)? Do they not come under judgement and condemnation?
This is dealt with by the Apostle in Romans 2:14-15, where he states that the Gentiles have the essence of God’s legal requirements already ingrained and so are just as much without excuse.
14 "The Gentiles do not have the Law; but whenever they do by instinct what the Law commands, they are their own law, even though they do not have the Law."
15 "Their conduct shows that what the Law commands is written in their hearts. Their consciences also show that this is true, since their thoughts sometimes accuse them and sometimes defend them."
The Law is the issue that has to be dealt with in order to bring us into a right relationship with God but the LAW doesn't make anyone righteous.
"Know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified" (Galatians 2:16).
Christ Jesus redeemed us from the curse that has been brought through the law by becoming a curse for us (Galatians 3:13).
LAW brought the curse/punishment,but through Jesus Christ, we got the redemption from sin and death.
What the LAW couldn't do was done by Jesus Christ through his life on earth, suffering, death, burial, resurrection and ascension.
WE HAVE NOT BECOME FREE OURSELVES BUT CHRIST MADE US FREE
John 8:36 tells us, "If the Son, therefore, shall make you free, you shall be free indeed".
WHAT ARE CHRISTIANS NOT FREE TO DO?
Here, I'm directly quoting from the Bible of the whole chapter of Romans 14 in Good News Translation for a better understanding.
Do Not Judge Others
14 Welcome those who are weak in faith, but do not argue with them about their personal opinions. 2 Some people's faith allows them to eat anything, but the person who is weak in the faith eats only vegetables. 3 The person who will eat anything is not to despise the one who doesn't; while the one who eats only vegetables is not to pass judgment on the one who will eat anything; for God has accepted that person. 4 Who are you to judge the servants of someone else? It is their own Master who will decide whether they succeed or fail. And they will succeed, because the Lord is able to make them succeed. 5 Some people think that a certain day is more important than other days, while others think that all days are the same. We each should firmly make up our own minds. 6 Those who think highly of a certain day do so in honor of the Lord; those who will eat anything do so in honor of the Lord, because they give thanks to God for the food. Those who refuse to eat certain things do so in honor of the Lord, and they give thanks to God. 7 We do not live for ourselves only, and we do not die for ourselves only. 8 If we live, it is for the Lord that we live, and if we die, it is for the Lord that we die. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 For Christ died and rose to life in order to be the Lord of the living and of the dead. 10 You then, who eat only vegetables—why do you pass judgment on others? And you who eat anything—why do you despise other believers? All of us will stand before God to be judged by him.
14 Welcome those who are weak in faith, but do not argue with them about their personal opinions. 2 Some people's faith allows them to eat anything, but the person who is weak in the faith eats only vegetables. 3 The person who will eat anything is not to despise the one who doesn't; while the one who eats only vegetables is not to pass judgment on the one who will eat anything; for God has accepted that person. 4 Who are you to judge the servants of someone else? It is their own Master who will decide whether they succeed or fail. And they will succeed, because the Lord is able to make them succeed. 5 Some people think that a certain day is more important than other days, while others think that all days are the same. We each should firmly make up our own minds. 6 Those who think highly of a certain day do so in honor of the Lord; those who will eat anything do so in honor of the Lord, because they give thanks to God for the food. Those who refuse to eat certain things do so in honor of the Lord, and they give thanks to God. 7 We do not live for ourselves only, and we do not die for ourselves only. 8 If we live, it is for the Lord that we live, and if we die, it is for the Lord that we die. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 For Christ died and rose to life in order to be the Lord of the living and of the dead. 10 You then, who eat only vegetables—why do you pass judgment on others? And you who eat anything—why do you despise other believers? All of us will stand before God to be judged by him.
11 For the scripture says,
“As surely as I am the living God, says the Lord, everyone will kneel before me,
and everyone will confess that I am God.”
12 Every one of us, then, will have to give an account to God.
“As surely as I am the living God, says the Lord, everyone will kneel before me,
and everyone will confess that I am God.”
12 Every one of us, then, will have to give an account to God.
Do Not Make Others Fall
13 So then, let us stop judging one another. Instead, you should decide never to do anything that would make others stumble or fall into sin. 14 My union with the Lord Jesus makes me certain that no food is of itself ritually unclean; but if you believe that some food is unclean, then it becomes unclean for you. 15 If you hurt others because of something you eat, then you are no longer acting from love. Do not let the food that you eat ruin the person for whom Christ died! 16 Do not let what you regard as good get a bad name. 17 For God's Kingdom is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of the righteousness, peace, and joy which the Holy Spirit gives. 18 And when you serve Christ in this way, you please God and are approved by others. 19 So then, we must always aim[a] at those things that bring peace and that help strengthen one another. 20 Do not, because of food, destroy what God has done. All foods may be eaten, but it is wrong to eat anything that will cause someone else to fall into sin. 21 The right thing to do is to keep from eating meat, drinking wine, or doing anything else that will make other believers fall. 22 Keep what you believe about this matter, then, between yourself and God. Happy are those who do not feel guilty when they do something they judge is right! 23 But if they have doubts about what they eat, God condemns them when they eat it, because their action is not based on faith. And anything that is not based on faith is sin.
13 So then, let us stop judging one another. Instead, you should decide never to do anything that would make others stumble or fall into sin. 14 My union with the Lord Jesus makes me certain that no food is of itself ritually unclean; but if you believe that some food is unclean, then it becomes unclean for you. 15 If you hurt others because of something you eat, then you are no longer acting from love. Do not let the food that you eat ruin the person for whom Christ died! 16 Do not let what you regard as good get a bad name. 17 For God's Kingdom is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of the righteousness, peace, and joy which the Holy Spirit gives. 18 And when you serve Christ in this way, you please God and are approved by others. 19 So then, we must always aim[a] at those things that bring peace and that help strengthen one another. 20 Do not, because of food, destroy what God has done. All foods may be eaten, but it is wrong to eat anything that will cause someone else to fall into sin. 21 The right thing to do is to keep from eating meat, drinking wine, or doing anything else that will make other believers fall. 22 Keep what you believe about this matter, then, between yourself and God. Happy are those who do not feel guilty when they do something they judge is right! 23 But if they have doubts about what they eat, God condemns them when they eat it, because their action is not based on faith. And anything that is not based on faith is sin.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, hope this message has brought us (I include myself here) an understanding about how we, as Christ's followers, are free in and through Christ. If that is true, please share this with your friends and relatives who need to know this truth.
No comments:
Post a Comment