I shall walk in [freedom], for I have sought your precepts.

Psalm 119:45

I shall walk in [freedom], for I have sought your precepts. Psalm 119:45

Given I have caught up with and am now ahead with where John Piper is in recording his videos on 1 and 2 Timothy for DesiringGod.com's Look at the Book series, this morning I lean on the Solid Joys daily devotion, which today explores Christian freedom.  John Piper describes how Christian freedom is found in freedom from "what we hate (sin) and free for what we love (God)."  He uses Psalm 119:45 and shares how we find this freedom in a daily relationship with God where we dive into His Word and we hear God speak into our heart and lives.  Excerpts from the devotion:

• "The word frees us from smallness of mind. “God gave Solomon . . . breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore” (1 Kings 4:29). The word frees us from threatening confinements. “He brought me out into a broad place” (Psalm 18:19)."
• "Jesus says, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). The freedom he has in mind is freedom from the slavery of sin (John 8:34). Or, to put it positively, it is freedom for holiness."
• "[W]hen we trust the promises of God, we sever the root of corruption and sinful desire by the power of a superior promise."
  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the freedom You provide, and for my salvation!  I am not deserving of the joy found in the freedom You provide nor my salvation.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

 

So I now proclaim ‘freedom’ for you, declares the Lord—‘freedom’ to fall by the sword, plague and famine. I will make you abhorrent to all the kingdoms of the earth. Those who have violated my covenant and have not fulfilled the terms of the covenant they made before me, I will treat like the calf they cut in two and then walked between its pieces.

Jeremiah 34

So I now proclaim ‘freedom’ for you, declares the Lord—‘freedom’ to fall by the sword, plague and famine. I will make you abhorrent to all the kingdoms of the earth. Those who have violated my covenant and have not fulfilled the terms of the covenant they made before me, I will treat like the calf they cut in two and then walked between its pieces. v17-18

In verse 9, God through Jeremiah makes a covenant with the people that they are to free their Hebrew slaves.  It did not take long for the people to renege on their commitment and re-enslave those Hebrews previously freed.  At least of couple of takeaways:

1. God offers an amazing covenant through His Son Jesus Christ - God will forgive us of our sins and give us eternal life in Heaven if we accept Christ as our savior and believe in Him (John 3:16-18).  As part of this covenant we must follow his commandments - see also Matthew 22:34-40.  We should not renege.
2. We may have an earthly definition of freedom - but it is not for us define.  If we choose not to believe in Him, we will have no freedom at all as we all are slave to one sin/idol or another.  For those of who believe, we can have true freedom - freedom in Christ and freedom from the sting of sin and death.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who provides freedom in Christ and freedom from the sting of sin and death.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I worry and I am often harsh with my words and actions.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I shall walk in a wide place, for I have sought your precepts.

 Psalm 119

I shall walk in a wide place, for I have sought your precepts. Psalm 119:45

While I anticipate going back to my study of Isaiah, for today I once again listen to DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion - which today focuses on the freedom promised to believers - which John Piper describes negatively as the freedom from sin, shame, guilt, etc. and positively as the freedom for holiness - namely the good works God prepares for us beforehand (when we were created by Him - Ephesians 2:10).  Piper describes the text for today as a promise and he translates the beginning of the text "wide place" by using "freedom" to emphasize the power of the promise of freedom for believers. Piper first starts by defining freedom as "open spaces", confinement, and "smallness of mind."  He urges believers not to be confined the thoughts that might be planted by Satan but instead we should renew our minds (Romans 12:2).  He uses Psalm 18:19 and God's gift of wisdom to Solomon from 1 Kings 4:29 to help us more fully understand the openness God promises for those who seek His precepts (His Word). Piper then defines the freedom Jesus wants us to appreciate - using John 8:34 and 32. This freedom is more fully defined as Piper uses 1 Peter 1:4 where is shares how believers are "partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire."  This is of course an incredible freedom - one that I aspire to more fully appreciate every single day - starting by seeking His Word.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer:  Lord Jesus, Your Word is lamp to my feet and a lamp to my path - and I am grateful for how I get to experience Your presence daily and for You to communicate with me and further sanctify and mold me into more of Your image.  Thank You Jesus!  Incredible blessings.  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues.  Help me turn from and overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

Titus 2:11-14

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Titus 2:11-14

Today, I continue a pause of my study of Zechariah as I prepare for leading worship at The Gardens and The Lodge this upcoming Sunday as part of a ministry outreach of my church Bay Leaf Baptist. Since the start of the new year, worship for this ministry is based on Tony Evans' booklet The Grace of God, and for this Sunday's worship specifically, we are using chapter 4 Set Free by Grace.  Since the concept of Christian freedom is front and center as I prepare, today I lean on DesiringGod.com and John Piper's view on this topic.  Piper outlines Christian freedom as being free on four levels:

1. Of opportunity - you need to be exposed to the gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ before you can experience Christian freedom
   
2. Of ability - you have to have the capacity to understand what salvation means to you in the context of Christian freedom
   
3. Of desire - you have to have a heart and a motivation for Christian freedom
   
4. Salvation from what can enslave us
   

Of course, Piper shares that "Jesus makes us free at every single level."  Piper explains: "He has given us the freedom of opportunity: he died for us. The freedom of ability: he gave us the gift of faith. The freedom of desire: he put a new heart in us and wrote his law on it, causing us to have new desires and new loves."  Of course we must also be humble and truly believe in Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords - we must not put any other god before Him.  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of amazing grace for me and who gives true freedom - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the rich blessings You continue to pour out for me. My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin and help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.

Judges 17

In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit. v6

We should be thankful that we have a king - and He is the King of Kings - Jesus Christ!

When we do as we please we falsely believe that we have freedom.  Yet we worship false Gods and we are slaves to our sin. Only Jesus Christ promises true freedom - freedom from the sting of sin and death. 

They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.” 2 Peter 2:19 

But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. Romans 6:17-18 

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:56-57 

In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. v4-5 

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17

  Lord Jesus - help me live with the full understanding and power of the freedom I have - freedom from the sting of sin and death, and freedom to be who You intend for me.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who provides true freedom - You died for me so that I could be free.  Free from the sting of sin and death. Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love.  I am weak - I worry.  I am harsh with my words and actions. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of cancer. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men.

1 Corinthians 7

Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. 1 Corinthians 7:21-23

I continue my study looking at the life of Paul using John Piper's 30 Reasons Why I Love the Apostle Paul.  Today, I move to chapter nineteen - Showing the Truth of Christian Freedom, but Not in a Simplistic Way.  Here, John Piper helps us see how, through the life and writings of Paul, we can navigate the complexities of life specifically in the area of submission to earthly authorities as we balance this submission with the freedom we have in Christ.  Piper first starts by pointing to Paul's words from Colossians 3:1-3 and Philippians 3:20-21 where Paul describes how believers are citizens of Heaven.  Piper then moves to Paul's words in Romans 13:1 and Ephesians 6:5-7 where - even though we are citizens of Heaven - we are to obey earthly authorities placed above us by God.   Piper then describes how Paul helps us resolve the inevitable tension that results when obedience to God and earthly authorities conflict: obedience to God is the priority.  We are referred to 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 7:21-23, and Acts 20:28 as the scriptural basis for this guidance.  Piper then looks at how Paul's description of Christian freedom extends beyond earthly authorities to freedom from the law (OT), pointing to Galatians 5:1-3 and Romans 5:8-9, 19, and 8:3 as examples where Paul's words help us.  Piper then wraps the chapter by summarizing our freedom: "[s]o we are free from God’s law and free from the world’s institutions— even those ordained by God (e.g., state, business, home). Christ owns us and we are his.  He is our absolute commander and protector. If he calls us to submit to any law or any institution, we do it. Not because the institution is absolute. And not because law-keeping makes us right with God. We do it because we believe Christ knows the way of love better than we do.*"

*John Piper. 30 Reasons Why I Love the Apostle Paul

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are SO good as You give me true freedom in Christ - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of the joy and blessings that come from freedom found in You.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.

Galatians 5

But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. v13

Paul warns the Galatians to avoid using freedom in Christ as justification to continue in sin.  Yes, we are no longer slave to sin and we do have freedom from the sting of sin and death, but we should use this not as freedom to sin but to serve.

The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6

 

We are warned once again by Paul in v26 to not be conceited as such arrogance leads to sin in spite of our freedom (sin of commission).

 

Sandwiched between of course in 5:22-23 are Paul's fruits of the Spirit verses: "[b]ut the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law". 

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has saved me from the sting of sin and death; You sustain me, encourage me, protect me, heal me, etc. and so much more - thank You Jesus for the many blessings You pour out for me.  I am not deserving - I am often full of conceit - please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind, and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.”

2 Peter 2

They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.” v19

Peter, who is warning us about false teachers, refers here to those teachers with a searing but true claim about how they promise something that is empty, and in fact is a trap.  This claim rings true particularly so in today's culture where freedom is defined as an ability to do anything you want.  Yet we all at at least instinctively know that this is not freedom but instead chaos, considering that those who promote such blather fail to adhere to absolute standards of right versus wrong.  For believers, we know that what Peter claims is true because we have experienced the freedom of knowing and loving Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.  He rescues us from our sin, from being slaves to sin, and in so doing, provides the means for us to live a life for Him.

We do not belong to this world but instead to Christ (John 15:19).

He calls us to be transformed not be the patterns of this world but by the renewing of the mind (Romans 12:2).

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God, the King of Kings and the Name above all Names.  You created the heavens and the earth and everything in between.  You chose me, then suffered and died for me, rising again from the grave to beat sin and death, paving the way for me to true freedom from sin, and to enjoy eternity in heaven with You.  How awesome You are!  Thank You for such a gift and for being so merciful and patient with me.  I am not worth such blessings!  I very often fail to be patient with others, including my own family, so please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me discern and protect myself from false teachers.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

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. or 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.So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Galatians 1-6

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. or 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.So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Galatians 5:13-18

Day 328 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues as I move further into the New Testament - this morning focusing on Paul's letter to the church in Galatia, as my commentary* notes that "the letter would have been written about A.D. 50, shortly following the Jerusalem conference. The subject of Paul’s letter parallels that of the conference itself, which pertained to the problems created by those Jewish Christians who were insisting that Gentile converts submit to the rite of circumcision and observe other rituals to which the Jews were accustomed."  The letter also is used by Paul to defend His faith and teachings as my commentary* also notes how Judaizers sought to undermine Paul.

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®). Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition. 

Paul focuses a good amount of his letter (Galatians 5-6) on Christian freedom as Paul defines our freedom and urges us to express our freedom by "walk[ing] by the Spirit" (Galatians 5:16) so we can avoid desires of the flesh but instead enjoy fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has given me freedom in Christ - a blessing of which I cannot fully fathom but I understand that it is a blessing.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of all the ways You bless me...my sin continues, including worry, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

1 Corinthians 9

To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.  I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. v21-23

In chapters 4-10 Paul moves on to practical matters about living, including "dealing with the church’s lack of judgment on sex and legal disputes, marriage, divorce, and virginity, then on to eating meat used for idol worship".  In chapter 9, however we see a nugget of scripture that we can use as a basis for sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.

John Piper helps us better understand how we are to become all things to all men to save some:

"In freedom, for love's sake, you try to overcome unnecessary, alienating differences that cut you off from unbelievers. In freedom, for love's sake, you learn the Maninka language and translate the Bible. In freedom, for love's sake, you eat dinner together the way they eat dinner. In freedom, for love's sake, you dress pretty much like the middle class American natives. In freedom, for love's sake, you get into their politics and their sports and their businesses.

And all the while you keep a vigilant watch over your heart to see if you are in the law of Christ."

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who became a man and died as a man so that I could have freedom from sin and eternal life - thank You Jesus!  You are an awesome God!  I am undeserving of such love and such a gift.  I sin..greatly...and all the time.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones.

Jude

Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones. Jude 8

I proceed with my study of Jude using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  Today, my study consists of a commentary-assisted review of Jude 8-10, with a focus on the first division - v8.  V8 is an example where Jude points to lives we should not emulate and avoid the influences these lives pursue - self-satisfying (vs seeking pleasure in the Lord), sexual immorality, seeking glory for oneself (vs submitting and surrendering first and foremost to God, and then to earthly authorities God places in our lives), and blaspheming God and Christians. The commentary immediately highlights how the contemporary church too often mimics the world and its views and this is what Jude warns us about.  We are referred to 1 Peter 1:16 and 2:9 where the church is called to be holy and set apart from the world.  The commentary describes how in v8 we see sins of rebellion against God and His sovereignty.  This is squarely an issue today in the world as God's authority is roundly rejected in favor of anything goes morality. V8 is connected to v7 where God's destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is referenced. False teachers claim authority they do not have - using freedom from Old Testament rituals as an example of this freedom - but they went too far with this freedom.  We are owned by God, bought with a price (see 1 Corinthians 6:19-20) and we exist solely to bring glory to God.  The commentary shares: "Jude rejects such unbiblical defiance, and so should we. The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead establishes him as the one with all authority in heaven and on earth...and those who are called by his name gladly submit to this authority for their good and his glory."  We are encouraged to abide in Proverbs 29:18 where true freedom lies in obedience to God (vs being slaves to sin).

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You give me and other believers true freedom - freedom from sin and death, and this gives me life to the full now and for eternity with You in Heaven.  What amazing gifts - the most amazing anyone could ever have.  I am undeserving of such gifts and blessing as my sin continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from and overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world.

1 John 5

In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. v4-5

Many will claim that following all of the commands of Jesus is burdensome but au contraire...our relationship with Jesus is freedom.

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17

Peter also helps us understand that everyone has a master:

They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.” 2 Peter 2:19

...And we have a master that provides true freedom - freedom from the sting of sin and death.

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:56-57

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are freedom indeed!  And You are victory over sin and death...and You are with me always.  This I know...Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth the love and blessings You provide.  I worry, am selfish, etc.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.

Hosea 14

The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them. v9

Much of our culture has pushed aside God, viewing Him as some distant, uninvolved God that has no role in our life.  Absent God in our lives, we act without boundaries assuming this is freedom.  Yet ironically, we find ourselves more troubled than ever because of this "freedom".  For those of us who love and follow God, we understand that following God provides true freedom because we are no longer slaves to sin and death.

But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. Romans 6:17-18

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:56-57

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Hebrew 4:12-13

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are that You provide the freedom that we long for - freedom from the sting of sin and death...and You are with me...always. Thank You Jesus!  I desperately need You.  I am broken and I continue to sin.  I am lazy and selfish.  Please forgive me and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself strength.  Please heal her of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, the church and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.

Hebrews 2

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. Hebrews 2:14-15

This morning, my focus is DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, where John Piper seeks for believers to prepare our hearts for Christmas.  Today's Solid Joys daily devotion marks day 19 of Advent, and today John Piper explores freedom from fear and anxiety.  Of course, all of humanity at one point or another struggles with fear or anxiety over one thing or another.  Nearly all of us have some level of fear over death.  Piper's opening salvo in today's devotion says "Jesus became man because what was needed was the death of a man who was more than man. The incarnation was God’s locking himself into death row. Christ did not risk death. He chose death. He embraced it. That is precisely why he came" (to serve and not to be served - Mark 10:45).  Although Satan tried to turn Jesus from the cross, Satan failed.  Piper describes how Jesus "stripped Satan of [his] power."  Now that Satan has no power - believers can no longer be condemned (Romans 8:1).  Piper wraps today's devotion by sharing how freedom from condemnation gives believers freedom from anxiety over anything from the smallest details of our lives to death itself.  Rejoice in the freedom that Christ gives us!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of compassion and grace for me.  You give me freedom from anxiety and from fear of death.  Thank You Jesus!  What an awesome God You are.  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues....daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

2 Corinthians 3

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. v17

Many believers and non believers alike assume that Christ = rules for living.  Instead, as Paul rightly points out, Christ = freedom.  Of course, Christ is so much more but in the context of this letter to the church in Corinth, Christ motivates us and inspires us by providing freedom...from sin the shame of sin, from worry, etc.  God is great...we need not worry with Christ in our hearts and lives.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are great!  You ARE freedom...from sin, from shame of sin, from worry...and so much more!  You are all I need.  Yet unfortunately, I act on a daily basis as if I can do things my way...this is bondage...and of course sinful!  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus.  Help me turn from my sin and towards You...help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Heal and cure her from this cancer!  Help me serve her.  Help me also understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.

1 John 3

Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8

This morning, my focus is DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, where John Piper seeks for believers to prepare our hearts for Christmas.  Today's Solid Joys daily devotion marks day 20 of Advent, and today John Piper uses the analogy of an assembly line to represent how sin persists in the world and how Satan is behind all of this persistent sin as those who live in darkness continue in their sin either because they have not been exposed to the light of Jesus Christ or because they have been exposed to the Light and have either rejected it or not yet been drawn to the Light enough to the point where they now live in the Light.  Of course this Light is Jesus Christ and God offers us the Light so that we can be free from the slavery of sin.  Piper wants non-believers to go on strike at the assembly line of sin; he encourages us that God has defeated sin already and anyone who follows Jesus has the freedom Christ offers - freedom from the slavery of sin, and from the sting of sin and death.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are Light and Truth and You give me freedom - freedom from the slavery of sin and freedom from the sting of sin and death - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings. My sin is great and it continues. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

[Y]ou also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead[.]...You are not your own, for you were bought with a price....Care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.

Romans 7:4, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, and Acts 20:28

[Y]ou also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead[.]...You are not your own, for you were bought with a price....Care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. Romans 7:4, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Acts 20:28

I agree with this post on DesiringGod.com that states that Holy Week is the most important week in all of history. As such, I continue with one of the recommendations from the post to prepare for Holy Week, which is to read John Piper's 40-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #23: So That We Might Belong to Him.  Here, John Piper shares what is likely to be very controversial for those who are not believers and perhaps openly hostile to God; that is that "[t]here is no autonomy in the fallen world. We are governed by sin or governed by God."  This should be non-controversial for for believers, at least those familiar with scripture - for example, Piper refers us to Romans 6:16, 20, 22 on this question.  Piper then elaborates: "[m]ost of the time we are free to do what we want. But we are not free to want what we ought. For that we need a new power based on a divine purchase. The power is God’s." We are then referred to Romans 6:17 and 2 Timothy 2:25-26.  For those that believe, Christ's death on the cross (and subsequent resurrection) gives us (He purchases) our freedom from enslavement to sin. Piper points to 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 and Acts 20:28 for scriptural support on this. Piper concludes the devotion to share how once we are no longer slave to sin, as believers we become slaves to God which Piper describes as not autonomous or independent but free (and desirous of) to "want what is good." Obedience to the OT law meant rules - instead believers in Christ die to this way of life and live a new life in Christ - see also Romans 7:4. Repent, believe, and experience freedom in Christ!

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that gives me true freedom...freedom in You!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how I belong to You and have this freedom.  My sin continues and it is great.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from this sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  

They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.”

2 Peter 2

They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.” v19

There are many who have heard the Good News but hesitate to submit to Jesus because they fear lack of freedom under Jesus.  Yet Peter blows a hole in this claim as he rightly says that we are all either slaves to sin or slaves to Jesus.  

Only Jesus provides true freedom - all else is a lie.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who gives me true freedom!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessings.  I sin - worry and other sins.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

1 Corinthians 10-11:1

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1

I continue my study of 1 Corinthians.  I am assisted in my study by the Christ-Centered Exposition Series commentary for this book.  Today my focus is a review - unaided by the commentary - of 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1.  Here, Paul builds on his warnings against idolatry (1Corinthians 10:1-22) by stepping back and looking big picture at Christian freedom - theology that is unpacked here in detail at DesiringGod.com. In v23, Paul states clearly that our freedom from the law does not mean that we are free to do things that do not forward God's call for our lives both corporately and individually - we are to focus on those things that help the mission and build others up.  In v24, this is amplified with Paul's words that we not focus on selves but on others - demonstrating Christ's model to love God, then love others (most important commandments (Matthew 22:34-40).  In vv25-26, Paul elaborates on Christian freedom for believers by using Psalm 24:1 as scriptural support to describe how they are not shackled to Old Testament ceremonial law.   In vv27-30, Paul uses the example of being a dinner guest of an unbeliever who serves food offered as sacrifice (as part of an idol worship ritual) to hit home Christian freedom - our liberty should be directed towards God's mission for us.  This means we must be flexible as Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23.  This is made plain in vv31-33.  V11:1 hammers it home - be imitators of Christ.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who gives me freedom from the law - so that I can be slave to Christ.  And this is a blessing and not a burden!  Thank You Jesus.  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

John 8

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. v34-36

As Jesus continues to teach in the temple courts throughout John 8, He is challenged throughout on a number of key points - only one of which is my focus this morning.  There are many in the world who believe that being a believer means LESS freedom.  Yet Jesus addresses this in v34-36 and I can testify in my own life over the validity and truth in these verses.

See also Freedom in Christ. 

They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.” 2 Peter 2:19

We instead should be slave to God.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are that You give me freedom from both sin and from the sting of sin and death - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving such love and such gifts.  I worry, I gossip, etc. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.