Monday, January 19, 2015

Minute Musings...Freedom

How would you like to be under a death penalty for something that you could do nothing
about?  May I tell you that the world is under this death penalty!  It tells us in the Old
Testament book of Ezekiel 18:20 that "The soul that sinneth, it shall die,"  There are
a great many people who believe that they can and must keep the Old Testament law! 
But what was pointed out by my Pastor on Sunday, the law was given to show that man
cannot keep it!  With our inherited sin nature, we are incapable of fulfilling all the law,
and the law demands death. 

Jesus Christ brought a new radical way of thinking about the law.  The religious leaders
of His day were aghast at what was being taught by Christ and His followers.  Galatians
5:18  "But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law."  The leaders did not
know what to do with this new teaching.  They did not comprehend that the man before
them, Jesus Christ, was the Son of God, and that He had come to fulfill the law of the
Old Testament and to bring about a new freedom to God's children.  Galatians 3:13
"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law (death) being made a curse for
us:  for it is written, cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:"

Jesus Christ paid the penalty of the law, death, for us!  It is only through His shed blood
on the cross of Calvary that we can be free from the law and have liberty and freedom
in Him. 

Free from the law, O happy condition,
Jesus hath bled, and there is remission;
Cursed by the law and bruised by the fall,
Grace hath redeemed us once for all.
 
Now are we free, there's no condemnation,
Jesus provides a perfect salvation;
"Come unto Me," O hear His sweet call,
Come, and He saves us, once for all.
 
                                                 Philip P. Bliss
 
Do you realize today the freedom that you have in Christ?  This is not a freedom to
go about doing what you want, thinking you are free from the consequences of your
actions however!  It explains in Romans chapter 6 that we are removed from being
under the law when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and placed under grace.
This however does not give us the "freedom" to sin.  Verses 1, 2a, 14  "What shall
we say then?  Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?  God forbid.
For sin shall not have dominion over you:  for ye are not under law, but under
grace."  The wonderful grace of Jesus has given us a life of freedom in Him.  We
are free from the curse of the law, free to live victoriously in Him.  John 8:33  "If
the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."
 
How are you living today?  Are you still trying to keep the law?  It is impossible.
When you sin in one area the Bible tells us you are guilty of breaking all the law!
James 2:10  "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one
point, he is guilty of all."  God knew that man was not able to keep the whole law,
so He provided the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE, His Son Jesus.  Life in Christ
is a life of liberty and freedom that can be lived only in and through His great grace! 
Romans 8:1 & 2  "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in
Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  For the law of the
Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."
 
 
The Gospel Of Christ (Freedom)
Galatians Song
 
From chains we've been set free, released from slavery,
In Grace and Mercy from Jesus Christ;
We'll stand before the throne, through Grace and Faith alone,
Living in victory - transformed. Alive.
 
Love the Gospel, know It's treasure,
Let It fill you, hear It's cry.
Share the message, live It's power,
The Gospel of Jesus Christ.
 
Crucified with Christ, we claim His righteous name,
Firm on His promise we take our stand.
We will defend the Truth, in love and gratitude,
The Holy Words of God - by His command.
 
Love the Gospel, know It's treasure,
Let It fill you, hear It's cry.
Share the message, live It's power,
The Gospel of Jesus Christ.
 
Freedom, freedom, freedom in the Gospel of Christ.
Freedom, freedom, freedom through salvation in Christ.
 
                                                        Don Salmon

No comments:

Post a Comment