September 14, 2008

Freedom In Christ

Galatians 5 NLT

  1 So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law.

  2 Listen! I, Paul, tell you this: If you are counting on circumcision to make you right with God, then Christ will be of no benefit to you.3 I'll say it again. If you are trying to find favor with God by being circumcised, you must obey every regulation in the whole law of Moses.4 For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God's grace.

  5 But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us.6 For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.

  7 You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth?8 It certainly isn't God, for he is the one who called you to freedom.9 This false teaching is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough!10 I am trusting the Lord to keep you from believing false teachings. God will judge that person, whoever he is, who has been confusing you.

  11 Dear brothers and sisters,* if I were still preaching that you must be circumcised—as some say I do—why am I still being persecuted? If I were no longer preaching salvation through the cross of Christ, no one would be offended.12 I just wish that those troublemakers who want to mutilate you by circumcision would mutilate themselves.*

  13 For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.14 For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."*15 But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.



Living by the Spirit's Power

 16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves.17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.18 But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.

  19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures,20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division,21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

  22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

  24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives.26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.

 

Psalm 91 1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High   will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;   he is my God, and I trust him. 3 For he will rescue you from every trap   and protect you from deadly disease. 4 He will cover you with his feathers.   He will shelter you with his wings.   His faithful promises are your armor and protection. 5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,   nor the arrow that flies in the day. 6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,   nor the disaster that strikes at midday. 7 Though a thousand fall at your side,   though ten thousand are dying around you,   these evils will not touch you. 8 Just open your eyes,   and see how the wicked are punished. 9 If you make the LORD your refuge,   if you make the Most High your shelter, 10 no evil will conquer you;   no plague will come near your home. 11 For he will order his angels   to protect you wherever you go. 12 They will hold you up with their hands   so you won't even hurt your foot on a stone. 13 You will trample upon lions and cobras;   you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! 14 The LORD says, "I will rescue those who love me.   I will protect those who trust in my name. 15 When they call on me, I will answer;   I will be with them in trouble.   I will rescue and honor them. 16 I will reward them with a long life   and give them my salvation."

Todays references were from 2005 Tyndale House Publishers New Living Translation.  All rights reserved.

LET US PRAY

Lord, keep me safe from things that are not of you.  Lead me down your path.  Help me to discern the difference between those that talk about you and those that are from you, Lord.  Anybody can talk.  Not everybody can speak your language, tell the story of your life, have it bring meaning and devotion by the nature of the love meant by it.  Many come falsely in your name, Lord.  Many are lead astray.  Help me know that I am on the right path and if I am not, lead me correctly.  Bring people in my life to show me the way, the truth and the light....yours only Lord leads to forgiveness of sin, and eternal life.  No one gets to heaven except through the son....you Jesus.  Help me to find people to surround me that are Christians...people who read the New Testament and live by it in their heart.  I am weak, but you are strong.  Help me to understand how the Old Testament is prophecy for the New Testament.  Help me to know the New Testament is the Old Testament fulfilled...come to life by your life, Lord Jesus.  Help me to embrace the very essence of your being....not someone else's....not mere words spoken by a false leader, but YOUR words, God, Jesus and Holy Spirit.  Help me not ignore or run and hide from injustices against you.  Help me be a vessel by which YOUR truth is told.  Lead me to the still waters of new life with you and you in me.  Guide me along right paths, bringing honor to your name.  Jesus come into my life now.  Forgive me of my sins.  Heal me and make me whole.  Renew my mind, Lord, erasing everything I may have learned in life that is in conflict with your Word, who you are, how wonderful you are.  Protect and comfort me.  Anoint me that I may live all the days of my life in the house of the one true Lord forever...your house, God, Jesus, Holy Spirit...only your house.  Teach me your truths and your love.  Thank you, Lord.  Love me and help me to love only you as my leader, my Savior, my Lord God Almighty.  Amen.