Your Freedom as a Follower of Christ

 

Your  Freedom as a Follower of Christ

 

The question is are you walking in that Freedom?

 

The Scriptures are very clear we are free and how that freedom should be used to bless not to harm?  So, the question that must be answered is how are you doing with that freedom?

 

Let us begin with Galatians 5:1, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”  Many I believe dismiss this verse, believing they never have been a slave.  So, allow me to remind you that all women in the time of Christ were seen as not slaves but more as property, Jesus set them free.  Also, many a person who goes by the title of Christian is a slave to a world system of bondage to many things, just to list one credit card.  The church often does not stand firm, and Covid 19 is a great example of the Church allowing fear to control, and not God.

 

2 Corinthians 3:17, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. “   If by faith in Christ action on the Cross, taking you place, paying for your sins, then the Spirit of God is living in you.  Jesus makes that clear, in John 14:20, “On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.”  We have been enveloped in God’s spirit.  The Spirit of God is where you are so allow the Lord to give you the freedom over your trials.

 

Romans 14:5 says, “One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.”  I have experienced many of my brothers and sisters in Christ have freedoms that I do not have.  As a very young believer in Jesus a man I looked up to told me, he had the freedom to go to a bar and have a beer, and witness to the guy next to him, I knew that I could not do so.  I do understand this Scripture was referring to the Sabbath, but we are told not to be a judge of others' actions unless they are not abiding in, Christ.  It is easy to be a Pharisee, and judge others, I know I’ve been one.

 

Colossians 2:16 is very clear on how one who is a follower of Christ should act to a fellow follower.  “Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath.”

 

1 Corinthians 8:9, “But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.”  With freedom comes responsibility.  If you are a follower of Christ and God gives you the freedom to have an adult beverage, that freedom comes with a lot of responsibility.  First, it should be in moderation, second, you should remember that many of your brothers and sisters in Christ do not have that freedom.  A wise person would not ever willingly cause a brother in Christ to go back into such bondage, of alcoholism.

   

As a follower of Christ, one must be looking at how his walk affects those who are watching them.  Your children, your family, your friends, and your neighbors. Galatians 5:13-14 “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.  For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  As a person in Christ and Christ in us, we are free to do as the Spirit of God allows us, but not to use that freedom to harm anyone.  So yes, you are free but you are also reasonable to live out that freedom to bring glory to your Lord.  So, the question you must answer is are you walking in the gift of freedom, no matter, your trials or circumstances?  

 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice