Once we have been freed, we are not to return to the servitude of our sin nature, our carnal man framed in lust, ego, material gains, and all that aligns with the evil one’s motives to destroy us and separate us from a Godly life.
Maintaining freedom from sin is a daily struggle; it is easy to slip back into our old ways like Peter who later became Christ’s (primary)Apostle. The beauty is that Jesus has freed us and; we have been given the gift of sanctification and redemption.
Not to sound preachy, but we must remain alert and operate in clarity to overcome the old shackles of sin and continue to live by God’s Will and His Way.
When we find ourselves falling prey to temptation, we must immediately self-correct. It is easier to do if the act or thought requires significant input, but much more difficult if it is subtle.
The new decade allows us to walk down the path of obedience, especially during this time of global uncertainty. We must always stay alert. We are Gods’ children. We have been freed by the Son. We are free from our shackles of sin.
There is some irony in the headline as the Bible passage I am about to quote is actually a benediction rather than an opening prayer. Simply put, the word “benediction” means “closing prayer.”
But when you think about it, I’d rather have the following few words be bestowed upon me every day of the upcoming year than as a closing thought for this expired one. When you read the prayer below, note just how pure and unencumbered it is. There is no pleading for material needs; no longing for miracles or other divine acts; and no wishing for the individual to do great things.
Rather, this elementary yet wonderful benediction/prayer should be the desire of every believer: to live in God’s glorious light every second, of every hour, of every day, of every year of life.
The Lord is with us in all that we do and think. We should feel secure in knowing that He watches over our comings and goings, we are never alone or forsaken.
Christmas is a time to reflect and be grateful for Jesus’ suffering to save us. It is a time to be thankful for our freedom!
Lisa Blair
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!
I am so grateful for all my followers and visitors to my site. I am taking this opportunity because without Christ, we would not be here today to celebrate His birth.
As so many have said already, remember – this is a time to reflect and focus on the goodness of Christ in our lives. Let all stressful behaviors go; rest in God’s peace.
I wish you all a blessed and safe Holiday and Season. Looking forward to reading your Posts in 2020.
Ephesians 4:21-25 “if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE of you WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members of one another.”
God has called us all unto Himself. This calling came with a great amount of joy as well as great amount of responsibility on our part. Christ never expected us to be perfect in this life. He did, however, expect us to try hard and never give up. I want to ask you today are you still trying to seek Christ with all your heart, all your mind, and all your strength?
Brothers and sisters, this passage reminds us that if we have heard and been taught by God, which simply means if we have any kind of Biblical knowledge then that knowledge is truth in the name of God! So, the responsibility found in this passage is that we do 5 things with this knowledge.
Lay aside our old self: You are a new creation in Christ. Stop acting like the old way was better. Remember this old way only leads to death without hope, without peace, and without love.
Renew your mind: This is a constant process not to be done once and never again. Just as you are renewed each day with a good night’s sleep, renew your mind by living in God’s holy word daily. If not we can become rusty, bored, or stagnate in our walk with God.
Put on the NEW self: Just as you put on new cloths daily, put on your new self and SHINE. That’s what Christ intended for you to do. SHINE with the righteousness He has clothed you in. Stop putting on the worldly cloths, they will never make you look like eternity hangs in the balance!
Lay aside falsehoods: Just like putting on a new self, you can’t do that if you keep putting on old dirty cloths that were never meant to display Christ in you. If you keep letting the world distract you then you can’t enjoy what God is trying to do through you. So, in plain terms, STOP IT. Lol
Speak truth: Just as plants need water every day, so we must be poured into each day as well. If you speak truth into each other you will receive the blessing and be a blessing. Don’t dry up and expect to do great things. Go and get your self watered, and help water others! Be a blessing and you will in turn receive many of them yourself! Pray for each other, share God’s word with each other, fill each other up with God and not the world.
Just as the theme of this day, week, month, or even the rest of this year states, don’t wait to put these practices into place. God never intended for you to wait until the time was right to lives as you were called to live. Go out and make today the best day you can, and remember ETERNITY HANGS IN THE BALANCE. Go in God’s peace!
