“Free in Christ”

“So, if the Son sets you free, you will be indeed” John 8:36

As I watch all of the championship games today. I love the competitiveness of Football, it is without doubt, one of the most popular sports in America. I use to theorized that it was one of "many paths up the same mountain, my little selfie god". But what about the sport or love of selfies? Does it tend to foster an ardor of a self-little god? Maybe? The Bible is clear that we not only have the ability to choose, we also have the responsibility to choose wisely, maintain godliness, modesty, and propriety; that’s free will. 

But Jesus said the greatest commandment is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength” (Mark 12:30).

Dear Lord, I know I’m not owning all the freedom you’ve purchased for us. Though you’ve already freed me from the egotism of trying to do something to deserve a relationship with God, and the anxiety of wondering what God thinks about me in any given moment; Help me though the chains of condemnation, even though they have already been broken and my fear of death and Judgment Day have been eliminated—I’m still not as free as you intend. In Jesus name, Amen

Do I, as a Christian live as though I am still in bondage? On the surface things look and sound great. But on the inside, it is a mess So I, “Throw another log on the fire “log in to social media and take a selfie. Is that You? Today we put the highlighted pictures of ourselves and echoes of words,” that are related to what, on social media? At times showing that Mr. or Ms. Good Bar image with the appearance of everything being great. The notion that sin has warped, twisted, maimed, and ruined human goodness is as pervasive in theology as social media is in modern life. This does not mean that the use of social media is sinful, as such.  It’s just that it was designed to be in harmony with human nature, which, being fallen, will give rise to a fixation on the self, the stimulation of its desires, the embellishment of its pride, and the encouragement of self-righteousness.

As the fires burn within, what do the ricochets in a social media chamber have to do with our Christian Life? A lot! It is “curved in upon ourselves”. It exploits the fallen weaknesses and the sinful appetites of the self.

“if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.” Colossians 1:23

This is precisely why the original sense of the term, We are required to “continue in the faith, stable and steadfast” (Colossians 1:23). “to echo the teaching above,” to share continuously the Good News of the Living God, who loves us with infinite and merciful love. What say You? 

Does this “if” in Colossians 1:23 indicate that our salvation depends upon us? What if our faith fails? If faith fails then it is an indication that it was not a valid saving faith (1 John 2:19). The genuine believer will persevere by the reality of God in his life with the perseverance of the Savior!

Suddenly you say out loud, “Jesus Christ is risen!” If anyone hears that divine “post”, it is likely they will hear parts of the original message, depending on where they are within their Faith Journey. The truth is that all who have not heard or understood this gospel message will have a chance to believe it. God will resurrect them to physical life and give them the opportunity to believe and inherit eternal life! Will they hear its message as if it were a lecture on morality or preachy? Rather than living a life that is aligned toward God and others, human sinfulness directs our life inward, toward self-justification, self-gratification, and self-promotion. Yet the gospel is not difficult to understand with the help of the Holy Spirit. The problem lies within us—in our spiritual blindness or our sin nature. If there is a resistance in the heart to loving God, there will be resistance in the mind to knowing God—and therefore to listening to and seeking God. I say, “Can the truth set us free”? The key to our mental garden. If so turn it over to Christ. A fabulous super computer,” our mind the battle ground of the soul”.

According to 2 Corinthians 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.

Everyone seeks some kind of freedom. Especially in today’s world, freedom is the highest virtue, and it is sought after by all who are, or consider themselves to be, oppressed. But freedom in Christ is not the same as political or economic freedom. In fact, some of the most harshly oppressed people in history have had complete freedom in Christ. The Bible tells us that, spiritually speaking, no one is free. In Romans 6, Paul explains that we are all slaves. We are either slaves to sin or slaves to righteousness. Those who are slaves to sin cannot free themselves from it, but once we are freed from the penalty and power of sin through the cross, we become a different kind of slave, and in that slavery, we find complete peace and true freedom. 

Far from being oppressed, the slave of Christ is truly free. We have been set free from sin by the Son of God who said, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). Now the Christian can truly say, along with Paul, “Through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:2). We now know the truth and that truth has set us free (John 8:32). 

Can we use social media to love and serve our neighbor?  I think so.  I have seen it contribute to actual, not just virtual, friendships.  It enables members of a family to keep track of their far-flung relatives.  It can be a platform for expressing sympathy and soliciting prayers.  The challenge is to use this medium in that way, while resisting the badness within us that the medium can also bring out.  This is what Christians have to do with life in general.

When we are in Christ, “we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us” (Romans 8:37) and can rejoice in our Savior, who makes all things possible (Philippians 4:13). In Christ we are loved, forgiven, and secure. In Christ we are adopted, justified, redeemed, reconciled, and chosen. So “Why” did God choose me? He chose you to demonstrate His character. He chose you that you may know Him and love Him. He chose you because He is love (1John 4:8). He is gracious, He is merciful, and He has a glorious plan for you.

In Christ we are victorious, filled with joy and peace, and granted true meaning in life. What a wonderful Savior is Christ!

God Bless You and This Ministry!