Galatians 3:26-29 NKJV
[26] For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. [27] For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. [28] There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. [29] And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
John 8:36 NKJV
[36] Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
Good morning!
What does it mean to be free in Christ? Does it mean that we are now better than the lost? No of course not! Yet many believers have that stance. They look down upon those that are still lost in their sins. They forget about the grace that God has given them in their own lives and the past they left behind. Freedom in Christ is letting the salvation of Christ set us free from the sins of our past and paying forward to others with love by sharing in knowledge and grace what God has done for us to become one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28).
Jesus gave us clear direction — to go and make disciples of all men (Matthew 28:19-20). How can we do that if we put a wedge between ourselves calling ourselves righteous on the far right and the unrighteous on the far left. Democrats vs. Republicans. Black vs. white. Gay vs. straight. This group vs. that group. There are so many polar opposites in this world and none of us will ever agree on what the true north moral compass is. But, we are all on one side – the side of humanity. We are all sinners saved by grace for those that have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Let’s not forget that!
There is one thing for sure that is always right and always true north on the moral compass — God’s word. If we stand on the promises of God and not look at others with judgment, but through the lens that God sees all of us, we will soon be reminded that all of our righteousness is as filthy rags. God’s grace has given us freedom. We can’t do anything to earn our salvation. We can only believe in the grace of God and that He can save a wretched sinner as me. God sees us as His beloved and righteous when we believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, not that we deserve it, but it is His Free gift of eternal life – true freedom.
Isaiah 64:6 NKJV
[6] But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.
Let’s Do Better!
There is so much turmoil in the environment today, just as there has been for centuries. In order for real change, change of hearts, we need to break the chains of the “us versus them” mentality. Let’s look at each other with the love of Christ. Ask ourselves, “What would Jesus do?” I’m not saying to condone the sins that the Bible clearly speaks of, but we should NEVER judge them either. We simply need to love people for who they are, no matter their race, religion, sexual preference, political affiliation, etc. Jesus Himself sat and dined with the sinners — the people that needed Him most. He never showed hostility to those that were sinners, but only showed love and mercy.
Matthew 9:10-13 NKJV
[10] Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. [11] And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” [12] When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. [13] But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”
I personally know people that are living lives outside of the principles that are set in the Bible. They have been mistreated and judged severely from people that are known to be Christians. They have told me that if that is what Christianity is all about, then they want no part of it.
I am sure that this deeply saddens our Heavenly Father that is not willing that any of us would perish. He wants all of us to live in eternity with Him. Let us not be the stumbling block for anyone in this world, but love them with the love of Christ! We should take to heart the words of Jesus in Matthew 9:13 — “But go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice.” Let’s all learn more about mercy and share it with others, just as God has done for us.
Ezekiel 18:32 NKJV
[32] For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,” says the Lord GOD. “Therefore turn and live!”
2 Peter 3:9 NKJV
[9] The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
I leave you with the words of St. Peter…
2 Peter 3:17-18 NKJV
[17] You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; [18] but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
Let’s all choose to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and show the world the love of the Christ!
I love you and am praying for you today!
Dad