“The Believer’s Freedom”

May 31, 2024

May 31, 2024

Read Joshua 11, Proverbs 26, 1 Corinthians 10

As American’s we love our freedom. People from all over the world love it as well and many desire to come here and experience it for themselves. The greatest freedom we can have, however, is not found in our nations laws or in any other country. The greatest freedom we can have is freedom in Christ. Many unbelievers might read that last statement and laugh. “Christianity is taking your freedom away!” they might reply. There is a misunderstanding of the true purpose and meaning of freedom.

In his letter to the church in Corinth Paul tells them, ““Everything is permissible”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is constructive. 24 Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others” vv.23-24. Paul is saying in our freedom in Christ and from the Mosaic Law we can do many more things, but not everyone of those is helpful.

Imagine a smart phone. You could use it for a door stop, something to skip across a lake, or something else. It might work and it might not. That is not what a smart phone is designed to do. It was designed for a specific purpose and when we use it for that purpose it is functioning at its highest capacity.

Paul goes on to talk about food as an example and then he finishes out his thoughts with these verses. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— 33 even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved” vv. 31-33. In our freedom as believers, we should not seek to use it for our own benefit, rather we should use our freedom for others and for the Lord.

What else do you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stick out to you?
Add your thoughts below.

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Posted by John Weldon

“Freedom for Fruit!”

March 2, 2024

March 2, 2024

Read Leviticus 18, Psalm 62, Galatians 5

As Americans, we love our freedom. Maybe a little too much. We tend to think of freedom as the goal and highest achievement. Many people are tricked into the myth that if they just get more power or money, they can increase the amount of freedom they have. We should not compare freedom to autonomy. These are two different things. This is where Galatians 5 teaches us that freedom is not ultimately for ourselves, but as Christians we are free to serve Christ. “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” v. 1. There is a difference between “freedom for” and “freedom from” for all of us to consider. Take a musical instrument or a symphony orchestra. You could take the approach that says, “I have the freedom to play my instrument however I like.” You could play any notes, melodies, in any key or rhythm. Imagine that with everyone in the orchestra doing the same thing. It would be a mess and make our ears bleed for sure. But if we play in the constraints of a certain key signature or time signature and play along with everyone else we have the ability to create beautiful music. That’s how it is with our freedom in Christ. Yes we are free from the law, but we must play within the moral key signature that God has given us in his word. This is the way God designed us as his musical instruments to function.

In Galatians 5 Paul writes about how Christians should not use their freedom in Christ, freedom from the law as an excuse to sin. “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. 14 The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other” vv. 13-15.  

Paul encourages the Christians in Galatia to “live by the Spirit” v. 16. In the last part of Galatians 5 Paul contrasts the fruit of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. He says “For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law” vv. 17-18. Because God exists and we have a moral ought to do right and not do evil we are ultimately free in Christ, but to live by the Spirit and produce the fruits that Paul lists out. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law” vv. 22-23.

What else do you see in these chapters? What words, phrases, or themes stand out to you?
Add your thoughts below.

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Posted by John Weldon