Standing in the Freedom of Christ

Standing in the Freedom of Christ

Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Galatians 5:1 For freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage.

Freedom is autonomy, independence and the power and authority to make wise choices that will lead us into an abundant life in Jesus Christ.  The freedom that comes from knowing who God is and the freedom that comes from knowing who we are in Christ is true freedom.  This freedom comes when we choose to walk out of the bondage of the past. 

The way our past determines our present and our future is established by our response to it. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, the apostle Paul encourages, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new..

God has made all things new, but how do we walk into our newness without the excess baggage of our past?  One of the first bits of baggage that we need to leave behind is blaming others for our mistakes.  When we own our failures, we can move past them.  When I understand that I am my worst enemy, I can begin my growth toward emotional and spiritual wellbeing.  I learn from my failures and move past them. When I acknowledge that I have missed the mark, I open the door to forgiveness.  When I accept the forgiveness of God, I can move on to forgiving myself.  When I forgive myself, I can better forgive others.

Shame and unforgiveness are excess baggage that hinder our freedom in Christ. Romans 8:1 says, There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.  When we walk according to the Spirit, we walk out of condemnation of both ourselves and others and into the freedom of who we were created to be.

  

     In Micah 7:18-19, the prophet encourages, Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever because He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins Into the depths of the sea.  God is omniscient. Yet He chooses to forget what He has forgiven.  To grow in the grace of newness, we, too, must choose to forget what God has forgiven whether it is our own sin or the sin of others.  God has cast our sins into the depths of the sea.  We don't have a license to fish them out again.

When we rid our lives of the anguish and regret of the past, we are set free to learn from our experiences.   In Romans 8:28, Paul writes, And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. God uses both the joys and the difficulties of our lives to teach us the peace of faithfulness, the power of His authority, the blessings of obedience, and His plans and purposes for our lives.

In that sense, it bodes well for us to revisit the past, but we must be careful not to pitch our tents there. It is important to examine and resolve issues from our past, but God never intended for us to dwell there.  He has called us to be present and future people.  When we have a healing and healthy perspective of the past, we are free to move into our destiny in Christ, a destiny founded on an abundant life in relationship with our Savior.

Part 3: Fulfilling Our Nation’s Destiny

Part 3:  Fulfilling Our Nation’s Destiny

Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

As we focus on believers as the key to fulfilling the destiny that God has for our nation, we have examined the importance of consecration and regeneration in activating the righteousness that exalts a nation.  As we continue this week in Joshua 5, we see the provision of our Lord in His loving care for His own. 

Joshua 5: 10-12: “Now the children of Israel camped in Gilgal, and kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight on the plains of Jericho. And they ate of the produce of the land on the day after the Passover, unleavened bread and parched grain, on the very same day. Then the manna ceased on the day after they had eaten the produce of the land; and the children of Israel no longer had manna, but they ate the food of the land of Canaan that year.” 

God had fed the Israelites manna for forty years.  When the wilderness years were over, the manna ceased, but the provision of God continued.  Our God is Jehovah Jirah, the God who provides.  When we forget that, we will act out of our fear rather than out of our faith.  Our nation’s current financial crisis has caused many believers to forget our Lord’s ability to provide.  We panic rather than pray.  The crisis appears to be  overwhelming, but “with God nothing will be impossible.” (Luke 1:37)

Matthew 6:31-33:”Do not be over-anxious, therefore, asking ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For all these are questions that Gentiles are always asking; but your Heavenly Father knows that you need these things—all of them. But make His Kingdom and righteousness your chief aim, and then these things shall all be given you in addition.” (MSNT) The key to divine provision is seeking the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. 

We must remember, also, that God’s provision is not limited to food and clothing.  He has provided us with salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.  We usually have a limited concept of what all is involved in salvation.  When we examine the definition of two Greek words translated as “salvation”, we find that the word means deliverance, safety, healing, health and prosperity.  If salvation meant only that we may have eternity with our Lord, it would be enough to cause us to live always in hope.  However, our God is a God of abundance.  Not only does salvation insure our eternity, it insures our today. 

We need the total package that salvation provides.  We need deliverance and healing from fear, hopelessness, and despair.  We are conscious of the war of terror that is being waged on the international front.  We are not so aware of the war of terror that is being waged in our own hearts.  The news media reports what happening in the world, but can offer no solution or hope.  Even most believers have resolved to expect the worst. 

How can believers reconcile what we see and hear around us with God’s word that He delights in us and has a future and a hope for us?  We must walk in faith in the promises of God.  Philippians 4:19: “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”  Do you need faith?  God will supply it.  Do you need hope?  God will supply it.  Do you need wisdom?  God will supply it.  Is a solution to our nation’s needs available?  Yes, and God has it.

As consecrated, regenerated believers, walking in His righteousness, let’s intercede before the throne of God on behalf of our nation.  Let’s declare His promises and walk in His hope.  One of my favorite hymns is “I Don’t Know about Tomorrow” by Ira Stanphill. 

“I don’t know about tomorrow, I just live from day to day;

I don’t borrow from its sunshine, For its skies may turn to gray.

I don’t worry over the future, For I know what Jesus said;

And today I’ll walk beside Him, Because He knows what is ahead.

Many things about tomorrow

I don’t seem to understand

But I know who holds tomorrow

And I know who holds my hand.”

Father, we are thankful that when we walk in Your righteousness, we can trust in Your provision.  We receive Your wisdom and Your hope.  We rebuke any spirit of fear that tries to attach itself to us.  We pray for the decision-makers of our nation that they, too, will seek Your wisdom. Amen.