Step into Freedom

Recently someone commented, "God’s commandments are too restrictive. Every time I turn around I am finding out some new commandment that makes me give up something else and stops me from enjoying life."

Comments like these show a lack of understanding of God’s purpose and His love. The purpose of His commands are not to restrict us, they are there to set us free. They give us boundaries for our safety. His commands allow us to move freely through a much greater expanse of life.

In giving us boundaries, God is showing His love for us. Research has repeatedly shown that people who do not have well defined boundaries live in a much smaller and more confined area. Jesus came to set us free, but He does so by giving us an aim, a plan, and a control.

1 John 5:3 (NASB), states, ". . . For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. . ." Following God’s commands are not a grind. They are more like an eager child following the directions to build their amazing model and anticipating a wonderful final product.

God desires that we have an abundant life. That means that in our life we can understand our purpose and know His plan for us. We can experience the joy that comes with the boundaries which provide protection. Scriptures share that in Christ we have liberty.

2 Cor. 3:17 (NASB) ¹⁷. . . where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

James 1:25 (NASB) ²⁵But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.

Scripture shows us that the guidance and commandments of the Lord provide liberty, joy, and blessings. Our first step to understanding the commands of God is to adjust our attitude about His laws. Instead of being influenced to believe they are stopping our fun, let’s choose to see the liberty they bring. All of God’s guidance comes from His heart of love.

Captured by Joy and Desiring Purity

Titus 2:11-14(NASB) ¹¹For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, ¹²instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, ¹³looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, ¹⁴who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.

Purity is produced by the work and Word of God being continually processed through our lives. Just as fresh waters squeeze through a limestone rock and produce a pure white rock, the Word of God purifies us.

Failures bring us to the edge of disaster. As we fail, we are keenly aware of our sins. Our minds are corrupted and unclean. We are driven to defeat with guilt. But don’t stop there! Remember that Jesus gave Himself for us. His blood covers all our sins and He desires to give us a fresh start (Titus 2:14).

Follow the process outlined in James chapter four to move back to God.

Humble yourself before God in recognition of His holiness. (6)

Submit to His authority. (7)

Personally resist and say no to the devil. (7)

Intentionally and consistently draw near to God in Bible study and prayer. (8)

Clean up your actions pursue righteousness. (8)

Become singularly focused on God’s world view. (8)

Let God determine how your life is to be used. (10)

God clearly promises us forgiveness for the sins we confess. He also desires to cleanse us from the pollution that sin leaves in our lives.

Hebrews 9: 14 reveals that purification by Christ brings us into the position of growth and life. When Jesus implants Himself into our lives, we are immediately inhabited by the Holy Spirit. God holds us in His hands forever.

The process of salvation now turns to the development of a complete disciple. The Holy Spirit instructs us in a new way of life. He empowers us to deny ungodliness and irreverent desires. He leads us to use God’s Word to make effective decisions to say no to temptations.

Denying ungodliness is a personal choice where we resolve to live in the fullness of God and experience the freedom brought by intentionally walking in obedience. The more decisions we make to live right the more we are attracted to the freshness of the vibrant life we find in Jesus.

Choosing to live sensibly, righteously, and godly right now effectively focuses our lives on the positiveness of Christ living through us. We are less tempted by food when we are already filled. The same principle works in the spiritual areas of our lives. Dishonorable desires are much less attractive when we are eagerly involved in a satisfying and growing relationship with Christ.

Jesus is excited to have us sold out to relationship with Himself. He defeated death so that we could experience a wondrously abundant life in Him. Once we are captured by the joy of the Christian life we are eager to pursue it consistently.