This week, Michael writes: The
freedom that we have in Christ is the message of the Church for the administration
of the fullness of Grace. The Old Testament law prepared us so that we
would be ready to be freed from the bondage of the Law. This is the
message of Romans Chapter 8 for Israel and for all who would
believe the truth of the gospel of grace. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh,
God sending his own son in the likeness of sinful sin and for sin condemned sin
in the flesh that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us who
walk not after the flesh but after the spirit. Jesus came so that we
may be made the righteousness of God in Him.
The
Law was given so that God's people could see that they were guilty in their own
fallen nature. The freedom that we have is only by the grace of God
through the payment for sin that Jesus made on our behalf. Ecclesiastes 1:13, Man was given travail so that man would be humbled by it. Man was
not made to keep the sabbath, rather, Sabbath was made for man. The Sabbath
was given by God so that Man could stop working, rest, and remember why we were
created. Mankind was not created for work but to serve and to know the Lord God
Jehovah. When we realize that we were not made for work, then we are free
to work with joy as unto the Lord and not
unto man. The reason for existence is not for work, but to know and
love God. Our work is to keep us humble so that we can humble ourselves
under the mighty hand of God.
Fear
is the basis for legalism. When I'm threatened, legalism is the fall-back
position that tells me, "I'm doing the right thing." However,
freedom is not within our own power. freedom is dependent on the level to
which we submit to Him. Galatians 5:1 says, "Stand fast therefore in the liberty
wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of
bondage." The freedom that we have is to serve Christ with total
abandonment from a heart of love. Jesus said, "If you continue in my Word, then you shall be my disciplined
followers. And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall. Set you
free. If the son therefor shall set you free then you shall be free
indeed."
Freedom
isn't free. It was paid for by the full payment for sin on our behalf by
Jesus Christ. For he who was without
sin was made the perfect sacrifice for sin on our behalf that we may be made
the righteousness of God in him. What has washed away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus. O blessed is the flow, that washed me
white as snow; no other fount I know...Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
It
wasn't the nails that kept Jesus hanging on the cross. Rather it was for
the love that He had for us. He for
the joy that was set before him endured the cross and is seated on the right
hand of God. The joy he had was your salvation and mine. Jesus'
perfect sacrifice on our behalf is the payment for our freedom from the bondage
of sin. We've been set free not because of how good we are, but because of
how good He is. What amazing grace!
May
God richly bless you!
Your
brother in Christ, Michael
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