No Longer Slaves

A few days ago I was reading and praying as I normally do and was very much encouraged at a theme that emerged as I read.  I have a Bible that is set up so that I read through it in one year. It has different selections from the Old and New testaments each day.  I found it for ten bucks at Hobby Lobby, hard cover, and I really like it. Anyway on this day one of the readings was from John Ch. 8 where Jesus promises that if we continue in His word we are truly His followers. Not only that but we are set free from the slavery of sin.  I've read that several times before, but this day it stood out to me a little stronger. I read on following my schedule for that day and came to Proverb ch. 5. At the ending section of that chapter is the warning of being ensnared by the "strange woman." The warning is for young men, but really for all of us to be careful not to be seduced by the deceitfulness of sexual immorality. The reason being is that those who do become captured and held with the cords of their own sins. Again, the theme of slavery and the admonition to remain free was in the words and thoughts as I read.  The next section was in Galatians 4. There I read that we are no longer slaves, but sons of God through faith in Jesus as our Savior.  Before we came to Christ we were slaves to that which is only of nature, fleshly, or worse yet, demonic forces and principalities. But now we are delivered from all that and like Jesus said we are now "free indeed."  Then when I got to church later, our worship team led us in a song that declared, "I'm no longer a slave..."
So, I rejoiced as God reminded me of the great freedom that is mine because of Jesus Christ and I write this to remind you as you read these thoughts to not become trapped by the temptations that are all around us. They are lies that tell us we can do wrongs, sins, immoralities of all types and not be affected by them. The truth is that sin traps us and captures us making our wills the slave of all manner of sinful passions and impulses. They have a way of intensifying, and soon we find ourselves in deep sorrow and troubles that hurt ourselves and those most close to us and bring us into the danger of being lost forever in an eternal hell.
So today, remember that Jesus Christ sets us free from all sin and all bondage.  Don't fall for the lie, don't succumb to the temptation. Rather be strong in the Lord, and remain in the freedom for which Christ has set us free. Perhaps today you can believe in Jesus as your Savior and Lord. Confess your sins, ask His forgiveness, and receive Him into your heart. If you're tired of being led around by your own passions and impulses, remember that the fruit of the Holy Spirit is self control. Take charge of your mind and soul in the power of Jesus and refuse to go any further down that destructive path.  You are free indeed and by the power of God in Christ, there is no reason you cannot remain free.

What Would Jesus Say?

I was reading in 1st Corinthians and was greatly encouraged, and wanted to share this with whoever might come across this post. I was feeling a little discouraged one day. I was very much aware of my failings and weaknesses. You know what I mean. I was thinking about mistakes and doing the should have, could have, would have routine.  Although I don't normally do that to myself, this particular day I was fully engaged in it. So I decided enough of this and sat down with my Bible to read and pray myself out of that frame of mind. I started at chapter one in 1 Corinthians and as I read I was immediately lifted out of that circle of hurtful thoughts.
It struck me that these Christians at Corinth were a group beset by all types of failings and confusion and deliberate sins that they were involved in. They were misusing the gifts of God's Spirit and had all manner of weirdness going on rather than the proper functioning of His Holy Spirit.
So Paul wrote this letter to correct them and provide some guidance. What struck me however, was the way he began his letter. He began with thankfulness to God for these believers. With all the troubles that filled that church Paul was thankful and let them know of his gratitude for them. He reminded them of who they really were in Christ, in spite of the problems and failings that plagued them at this moment. He told them of the grace of God concerning them, he told them they were enriched in Him in every way. They are blessed in all speech, all knowledge, the testimony they have is still valid and confirmed.
He tells these Corinthian saints that they do not lack any gift, but are full of God's Spirit and are waiting with  a Godly eagerness for the return of Jesus. He told them plainly that the God who called them to salvation will confirm them to the end and count them blameless when that great day of judgement comes.
I was greatly relieved as I read these words. This was written to a church with just about everything that could go wrong in a church was happening, yet Paul reminds them not of their failings, but of the grace and salvation of God in Jesus Christ. No need for them to think would have, should have, could have, but rather a gentle reminder of what Jesus has done for them, and who they really are because of that work.
So today if your in that condemnation mode, don't be. Be reminded of what Jesus says of you, not yourself or the enemy. In spite of our failings and undeserving condition, Jesus has had mercy and has enriched us with all things needful for salvation and progress in our faith. It was true for the Corinthians then, and is true for us today. This very day it is true for you child of God. We do make mistakes sure, and we do need to repent and get back on track. But in Christ, we have all we need to do so, and every available power from God to get out of despairing condemnation and into uplifting joy to perseverance and go forward. 
God bless you today. Keep looking up, and walk confidently in what Jesus says of you, not what you might feel like at this moment. He has done it, He will do it and keep us till that great day of glory and joy!