John 8:36 "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."
Freedom in Christ is the greatest place to be, free from the affects of intimidation from those who don't want to obey Christ.
Freedom from false guilt for not following the culture.
Freedom from the guilt of a conscience that must continually justify itself to be able to sleep at night.
Freedom to obey the Lord without any regrets!!!!
How many of you are experiencing this freedom? I sure am!
No amount of ridicule, intimidation or pressure could make me return to the bondage of compliance with a runaway culture.
Hallelujah, I am free indeed!
Thursday, December 18, 2014
By God's Power and Might
So often we are more focused on the mechanics of ritual than we are on the spirit of worship. God said that we are to worship in "Spirit and in Truth."
Outward expressions of worship are not necessarily evidence of a heart submitted to Christ. Often ritualistic body language is nothing more than an emotional response to outer stimuli, usually in groups of people while hardly ever alone at home.
I am convinced that the spiritual life of those who are expressive in gatherings, is not nearly what is in their heart while alone at home, because those I have met those who display their emotions in public, and are not living obedient lives otherwise. There are some who are consistent both in gatherings and at home, but few.
Our culture places more emphasis on outward show of emotion than on inner spiritual character. We know this by their reaction when they are encouraged to obey God. Most of them use the words like, "don't judge", a lot when challenged to evaluate their sinful lifestyle.
There is an attitude that "I can live as I please, as long as I say the right things." I find more believers who mouth words than those who actually walk the walk. I also see more believers who believe they are all right with God, but are hostile when confronted with a sinful attitude or lack of obedience in a "sacred cow" area of their lives.
1 Samuel 15:22 "Samuel said, "Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams."
Our sacrifices of emotionalism in worship is not pleasing to God unless there has been a life of obedience outside the gatherings.
Ephesians 6:1-3 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”
Colossians 3:22 Slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.
Hebrews 13:17 (KJV) Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
1 Peter 4:16-17 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
When we roll our eyes at those in authority over us, when asked to do something, our spirit is in disobedience even if we do what we are told. I encountered this often when raising children. In front of me, they often would reluctantly do as I say and when my back was turned there were facial expressions and whispering that indicated a heart that was in rebellion.
Most children have done this, sadly some never grow out of it, continuing the same response to life that they had when they were children. The only difference between a child and an adult is that the child has to hide it so as not to be punished for it, but the adult can openly show disdain and rebellion without punishment, while making all those around them miserable because of their selfishness.
We think because we are adults we no longer have to submit to anyone any more, we can just let everything fly and be pleased that no one was able to control us.
We are controlled even when we think we are not. We are either controlled by the devil and his minions or we are controlled by Christ. When we follow our feelings in getting what we want our own way, the devil is manipulating our thinking, making us believe we are in control. Selfishness in someone shows they are not in control of themselves. They are controlled by their emotions and by the devil who manipulates us.
If we are to have "self control", we will have to ask the Lord to work it in us, shear will power will not make us able to resist temptation, only the power of God will give us the self-control we need to be obedient to Him.
Proverbs 25:28 "He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls."
2 Peter 1:5-7 "2 Peter 1:5-7King James Version (KJV)
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
2 Timothy 1:7 "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."
Titus 2:11-14 "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works."
God redeems us and works in us that we might have His power to resist sin and have self control.
Outward expressions of worship are not necessarily evidence of a heart submitted to Christ. Often ritualistic body language is nothing more than an emotional response to outer stimuli, usually in groups of people while hardly ever alone at home.
I am convinced that the spiritual life of those who are expressive in gatherings, is not nearly what is in their heart while alone at home, because those I have met those who display their emotions in public, and are not living obedient lives otherwise. There are some who are consistent both in gatherings and at home, but few.
Our culture places more emphasis on outward show of emotion than on inner spiritual character. We know this by their reaction when they are encouraged to obey God. Most of them use the words like, "don't judge", a lot when challenged to evaluate their sinful lifestyle.
There is an attitude that "I can live as I please, as long as I say the right things." I find more believers who mouth words than those who actually walk the walk. I also see more believers who believe they are all right with God, but are hostile when confronted with a sinful attitude or lack of obedience in a "sacred cow" area of their lives.
1 Samuel 15:22 "Samuel said, "Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams."
Our sacrifices of emotionalism in worship is not pleasing to God unless there has been a life of obedience outside the gatherings.
Ephesians 6:1-3 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”
Colossians 3:22 Slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.
Hebrews 13:17 (KJV) Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
1 Peter 4:16-17 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
When we roll our eyes at those in authority over us, when asked to do something, our spirit is in disobedience even if we do what we are told. I encountered this often when raising children. In front of me, they often would reluctantly do as I say and when my back was turned there were facial expressions and whispering that indicated a heart that was in rebellion.
Most children have done this, sadly some never grow out of it, continuing the same response to life that they had when they were children. The only difference between a child and an adult is that the child has to hide it so as not to be punished for it, but the adult can openly show disdain and rebellion without punishment, while making all those around them miserable because of their selfishness.
We think because we are adults we no longer have to submit to anyone any more, we can just let everything fly and be pleased that no one was able to control us.
We are controlled even when we think we are not. We are either controlled by the devil and his minions or we are controlled by Christ. When we follow our feelings in getting what we want our own way, the devil is manipulating our thinking, making us believe we are in control. Selfishness in someone shows they are not in control of themselves. They are controlled by their emotions and by the devil who manipulates us.
If we are to have "self control", we will have to ask the Lord to work it in us, shear will power will not make us able to resist temptation, only the power of God will give us the self-control we need to be obedient to Him.
Proverbs 25:28 "He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls."
2 Peter 1:5-7 "2 Peter 1:5-7King James Version (KJV)
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
2 Timothy 1:7 "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."
Titus 2:11-14 "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works."
God redeems us and works in us that we might have His power to resist sin and have self control.
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