Christian Spiritual Growth
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Liberty and freedom are used interchangeably as synonyms in the Bible, and we use those words interchangeably even today.
Based on the Hebrew and Greek words, Part 2 of 2, liberty/freedom in Christ is the result of the work of Christ (Gal 5:1) so that we could be |
God grants liberty only ~Daniel Webster |
As our hearts turn to the Lord, we are
David understood a forward-moving walk with the Lord when he wrote:
This Old Testament word means “roomy.” That’s a good picture of liberty: roomy. When we walk within images created by man, there is no room—no room for thinking, no room for growth, no room for responsibility, no room for grace, no room for love.
OUR SPIRIT IS MADE ALIVE.
Liberty, as with all aspects of Christ’s work in our lives, touches the whole person: spirit, soul (will, mind, emotions), and body.
Of course, a born-again believer’s spirit is made alive (praise the Lord!). What liberty to have your spirit changed from dead to living. Something dead can’t move or grow, but something living can. So a living spirit is one of the most marvelous aspects of Christ’s work of liberty in our lives; He makes us alive spiritually.
OUR SOUL IS SUBMITTED TO THE SPIRIT.
Liberty touches our souls: will, mind, and emotions.
We are…
- freed from practicing sin (I John) because our will is to do His will.
- freed to obey from a heart of love for Him.
- freed from legalistic thinking.
- freed to
- exercise our minds as we think and reason with the Lord. Because of His perfect love in us and for us and flowing through us, fear is cast out.
- examine teachings and ideas without having to accept them because His truth and His anointing will teach us. When we are not free to think (this is where many of images originate—no thinking allowed), we allow ourselves to become bound by images suggested or, worse yet, enforced by others who claim carnal control/authority over us.
- exercise our minds as we think and reason with the Lord. Because of His perfect love in us and for us and flowing through us, fear is cast out.
- freed from emotional outbursts.
- freed to emotional purity. And when our wills and minds are alive with Christ’s love, our emotions become our servant rather than our master.
OUR BODIES REFLECT OUR ALIVE SPIRITS AND REVIVED SOULS.
Liberty also touches our bodies. A body whose spirit and soul are controlled by the Spirit of God, as outlined in the previous paragraphs, will live a holy life, separated unto God.
This body can move in and out of various circles in society, just as Jesus did, without fear. A person can minister to prostitutes, the rich, the poor, legalistic and religious people, those living in license, and those truly seeking Truth Himself—and only need to wash her feet upon her return from such dealings because, internally (in her heart) she will not be touched by the world or religious life. She is free!
Christ did not set us free from the bondage of sin and religious life so we could turn to another form of bondage, which involves the creation of images within which to live and/or within which to become judgmental of others. Yes, we are to judge (it's part of thinking and reasoning) but not to be judgmental. Bereans, Part 1 of 2 outlines these ideas.
May we all live within the liberty of Christ and walk with Him into more and more of the abundant Life He offers, so we can love from a heart overflowing with His Life and draw many to Christ Who is our Source/Head for all aspects of living.
and when we do begin to catch a glimpse of You,
draw us by Your Life, Love, and Liberty to follow.
there is liberty!
~2 Corinthians 3:17
Liberty in Christ, Part 2 of 2
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