Reading: Galatians 4, 5, 6
My Verse: "In [this] freedom Christ has made us free [and completely liberated us]: stand fast then, and do not be hampered and held ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery [which you have once put off]" (5:1).
Lord, this is a most wonderful part of being Your child - freedom. You free us not just from liturgical rituals and laws but from all chains that bind us. In You only can we find this wonderful freedom. As we walk and grow in You the burdens slowly but surely fall away.
And yet - again the whole gospel needs to be ever kept in mind. We must be careful how we use this freedom. I had a friend who joyfully declared one day that she finally felt free enough to not tithe anymore. I remember wondering greatly at that and feeling sad for her. She had been tithing out of obligation and not love. Her decision was in connection with a sermon our pastor had given and she heard the sermon, I believe out of context. She did not consider the whole gospel message. For tithing is a part of being a believer and Your Word, Lord teaches us what that is all about.
Yes, Paul speaks of the freedom we have in You with a caution, "stand fast then, and do not be hampered and held ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery [which you have once put off]. With this wonderful freedom comes a great responsibility. "But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy} Spirit; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh" (5:16).
Here is the crux of my freedom. I must look to You in my walk for You guide and direct my steps. I must look to You in my walk for You, and You only, empower me to stay on the path You set before me.
I pray, Lord, that today You show me how to "walk and live [habitually] in the Holy Spirit". I pray that today I live in and enjoy the freedom that You have given me with the whole gospel message ever in mind.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: "In [this] freedom Christ has made us free [and completely liberated us]: stand fast then, and do not be hampered and held ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery [which you have once put off]" (5:1).
Lord, this is a most wonderful part of being Your child - freedom. You free us not just from liturgical rituals and laws but from all chains that bind us. In You only can we find this wonderful freedom. As we walk and grow in You the burdens slowly but surely fall away.
And yet - again the whole gospel needs to be ever kept in mind. We must be careful how we use this freedom. I had a friend who joyfully declared one day that she finally felt free enough to not tithe anymore. I remember wondering greatly at that and feeling sad for her. She had been tithing out of obligation and not love. Her decision was in connection with a sermon our pastor had given and she heard the sermon, I believe out of context. She did not consider the whole gospel message. For tithing is a part of being a believer and Your Word, Lord teaches us what that is all about.
Yes, Paul speaks of the freedom we have in You with a caution, "stand fast then, and do not be hampered and held ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery [which you have once put off]. With this wonderful freedom comes a great responsibility. "But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy} Spirit; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh" (5:16).
Here is the crux of my freedom. I must look to You in my walk for You guide and direct my steps. I must look to You in my walk for You, and You only, empower me to stay on the path You set before me.
I pray, Lord, that today You show me how to "walk and live [habitually] in the Holy Spirit". I pray that today I live in and enjoy the freedom that You have given me with the whole gospel message ever in mind.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
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