Christian Liberty

I must first ask for your grace. I have done many things over the past few months, but now I am back and you have my attention.

Galatians 5:1

(NASB) Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you.

(The Message) It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

Salvation is a ticket of sorts. It is a ticket to freedom. When Christ bids one to come and die to self, he is declaring to you in a mighty way: "I got it." He is saying stop worrying about the things of this life. I got it. Oftentimes in my Christian walk I do not feel liberated. I feel burdened by my problems. I allow myself to slump under the weight of my sin. I see Christ as more of a burden than a loving companion. If you are like me embrace the freedom of liberation. I have spent the past month of my life in worry and anxiety...It is not worth it. This verse has spoken to me over and over again these past few days. I challenge you to commit it to memory.

There are three main things this verse teaches:

1. It is idiotic and stupid to try and live your life as if you are under the law burdened by ritual and legalism. In Romans 10:13 Paul calls it "seeking to establish your own righteousness." Righteousness cannot come through the law. You must embrace the freedom to enjoy the grace of Christ. Furthermore legalism is a cancer on our churches that steals the very heart of the gospel, and it will steal your heart too if you let it. Never forget the freedom...

2. We are free from the power of sin. This is a word to those who find themselves choked by a reoccurring sin. If you seek to conquer the sin on your own you will always fail. One cannot conquer reoccurring sin unless you trust Christ to give you the power to conquer. Those who seek wisdom and power over sin... Ask God to change your heart today... You are an anathema to the cause of the gospel if you allow sin to fester giving it no attention at all. Don’t look like the world, resemble Christ.

3. You are free to enjoy all the things of creation within God's moral law. Hear the words of protest from Derek Webb "Don’t teach me about moderation and liberty just give me a shot of grape juice." Truly we should enjoy the things of creation and we do not need a "New Law." A word to you cocktail sippin' Christians out there...contrary to everything you have very heard in church...drinking in moderation within the law is an exercise of Christian liberty. We must not use the freedom we are granted to fulfill our selfish carnal desires, because this is abuse not freedom.

Embrace the freedom of the saving gospel of Jesus Christ.

In closing...

Thanks for taking me back...I love you all very much...Hopefully these will get much better as time continues...Godspeed!