Freedom
Wednesday July 9, 2014
God tells us that one of the greatest gifts we receive after having admitted our faults and our sins is that the truth will set us free.
If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts. (1 John 1:8-10 NLT)
Sometimes we fall into the habit of keeping the rules and checking the “balance sheet” as a method of tricking ourselves into thinking we are good people. We follow the rules but while we are doing so we control others to benefit ourselves. We total all the times we’ve done the right thing to excuse ourselves from taking responsibility for the rules we break in doing wrong. We do good things for others and tell ourselves we are “pretty good people” even though we know we have bad attitudes and hidden resentments. The Bible makes a clear distinction between doing good things in an attempt to look good and practicing goodness as a character quality.
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. (Romans 12:9 NLT)
As followers of Jesus we are required to choose for good in spite of the many challenges we face. We are also told that a sign that the presence of God lives in us is that we will exhibit goodness. God created us for a work He has prepared in advance for us to do, a work that will flow from a pure heart. The challenging question for us is: Am I just “looking good” in what I do, or am I really good on the inside because I have allowed God to transform me and make me whole?"
O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8 NLT)
Freedom comes when we acknowledge the truth that without Jesus we can do nothing good. With Jesus, all things are possible!
If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (John 8:31b – 32 NIV)
Today, why not take your stand! Never again let anyone or anything put a harness of slavery on you for Jesus has set us free to love each other as He has loved us.
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