Holy cow…this is big…
(Profound revelations spurred by a conversation between my brother and me…much of this is his insight.)
Peace, contentment, calmness, quietness, serenity…it’s what every human being ultimately desires ABOVE ANYTHING.
We are not often a people of peace.
And yet, Christians are to be marked by this characteristic. This is the very thing the world should be able to look at us and see as a distinguishing trait.
What’s wrong?
Have you read the stories of the martyrs? They walked with perfect peace into an arena of ravenous lions to meet their death by torturous dismemberment.
How would we go?
“You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” John 8:32
“Free in Christ” has been quite a misused term in the contemporary church. You hear a lot about “free to DO this or that”…but this verse speaks of being freed from something.
What does the above verse mean? What is truth, and what does it “set us free from”?
Jesus answers the question in the next verse: “whoever commits sin is a slave of sin”.
How do we know the truth? Jesus said, “If you abide in my word…”
To abide in the Word is to know the word, which is to be faced with the choice to obey it. If we obey the truth of it, we are FREE. He wasn’t referring in this passage to the freedom Christ gave to us in the one instant of redemption…he was referring to an “abiding”…something that depends on us…a constant need to linger in the truth of Scripture.
How do you know if you’re free–the kind of free that Jesus describes?
Are you anxious?
“Be anxious for nothing…”
Being anxious is submitting to a lie–the opposite of truth.
Are you discontent?
“Be content with food and clothing…”
Material comparison–envy–is submitting to a lie–the opposite of truth.
Are you worried?
“Cast all your cares upon Him…”
Worry is submitting to a lie–the opposite of truth.
Are you fearful?
“For you have not been given the spirit of fear…”
Fear is submitting to a lie–the opposite of truth.
Are you troubled?
“And the peace of God shall guard your hearts and minds…”
Trouble is submitting to a lie–the opposite of truth.
What is your bondage? How does it stand in the light of the Word? Are you listening to truth, or to a lie?
“You cannot serve two masters…”
5 comments
Our pastor tells us to “come in the opposite spirit.” Meaning if the enemy is bringing fear, we need to approach a situation in a spirit of faith. If we are tempted to worry, we need to come in a spirit of peace.
When we don’t know the right course, my husband and I use the phrase, “come in the opposite spirit” to help us discern what God would have us do.
Wow, what a great and much needed post.
Sounds like alot of spiritual growing up in your family. :o) Your parents must be so proud!
Thank you! This is exactly what I needed to hear. We are moving and my husband is changing jobs and I have to admit that I have been very anxious. The timing of this post was just right.
Crystal Richey
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