Liberty In Christ
By Elizabeth Marks
And you shall know the truth and the
truth shall make you free. John 8:32 NKJV
Believing in God
Living a life of liberty in Christ is possible by believing God.
The Bible tells us there is no darkness in Him, He can not lie,
and His plans are to prosper us rather than to harm us (1 John
1:5, Jeremiah 29:11). God is good and we can count on that.
Understanding the Truth
The Bible is the Word of God written through men as they were
inspired by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Bible tells us it is good
for doctrine, teaching, rebuking and correcting a man in
righteousness that he might be lacking nothing (2 Timothy 3:16).
God gave each believer the gift of the Holy Spirit to dwell in
us for the purpose of guiding us into all truth (Romans 5:5,
John 16:7-14).
Agreeing with God
A sinner is anyone who chooses his/her own way over God's way.
The Bible teaches we are all sinners who fall short of His glory
(Romans 3:23). As we read God's Word it becomes obvious how we
miss His glorious standard for us. When we become aware of our
sinfulness, we are expected to confess our sins and seek His
forgiveness. The Bible tells us He is faithful and just and will
forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness
(1 John 1:9).
Accepting the Gift
The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life
through Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23). While on earth, Jesus Christ
was God in human form. He was the perfect, sinless example of
how we are to during our life time. He came to pay the price of
our sin and make it possible for us to live for eternity. In
John 14:6 NKJV Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the
life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." Anyone who
believes in their heart and confesses with their mouth Jesus is
Lord will be saved (Romans 10:9).
Renewing Your Mind
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and
acceptable and perfect will of God (Romans 12:2). Only God's
truth can renew your mind. The Bible teaches us to think on
things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, are of good
report, virtuous, and praiseworthy meditate on these things
(Philippians 4:8). Reading and meditating on God's Word is
crucial for renewing your mind.
Denying the Lies
As God's Word infiltrates our minds and hearts, the lies we have
believed start becoming visible. We can recognize the lies
easier by comparing them to the Word of God. The Bible teaches
us the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God
for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every
high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God,
bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ
(2 Corinthians 10:4-5). We are responsible for our thoughts. If
our thoughts are filled with lies, we need to capture them, make
them obedient to Christ. God's Holy Spirit in us gives us the
very power we need to make God's Word dwell in our minds rather
than lies.
Practicing the Truth
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in
Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but
according to the Spirit (Romans 8:1). The old life of sin is
gone and the new life of the Spirit has come. If we walk in the
light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one
another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from
all sin (1 John 1:7). Walk in the Spirit and you shall not
fulfill the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). When you do walk
in the Spirit the following fruit will be evident in your life:
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
Living in Victory
If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law
(Galatians 5:18). For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ
Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what
the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God
did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on
account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the
righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do
not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit
(Romans 8:2-4). Christ has freed us from the power of sin, if we
will accept His work, and allow His Spirit to renew our minds
with God's Word, we will live obediently and abundantly in
truth.
Lord, thank you for your Word and Spirit. Enable us to turn to
you for forgiveness of sins. Teach us to walk by the Spirit that
we may live in the liberty of Jesus Christ. In His precious
name, Amen.
Elizabeth Marks is the author of ThinkOnIt Devotions,
has a heart for encouraging believers with God's Word. Please
visit www.ThinkOnItDevotions.com for more devotions,
bible studies, book reviews and more!
