Week of 6/22/2017 entry from Bible Promises for You Men’s Group: Freedom
Scripture: Galatians 5:1 - “Freedom in Christ”
It is for Freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Thought: Remember that justification is gained through faith by following the story of love in the Bible. Faith, love, and a relationship with = Jesus equals salvation, not “works.” This points to living a life like Christ.
Application: Seek a life where you love someone and not perform “deeds.” We must live good (be kind) and true to our faith. You can't hold your Bible in one hand and sin with the other.
Response: Father I pray that the sin you take from me does not creep back into my life and I am justified in your eyes.
Looking back Today (2025): We all need a role model, why not choose Christ. I am amazed today at the timing of God. As I am looking back on Galatians Chapter one and my Journal entry from 2017 to gain additional insight from God’s word I have been blessed by his perfect timing. I am part of a group, a team if you will, that is experiencing some growing pains and the first lesson the Holy Spirit knew I needed to recall today is taught in Galatians 5:6 where we are reminded that “... The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” As a team member, just like in faith, I needed to remember that there is something bigger than myself and Galatians 6:13 reminded me that we are to “... serve each other humbly in love.” The word of Jesus himself (red font in my bible, Matthew 22:37-40) teaches me that the entire law of the bible “hang” on two commandments summarized as follows. Love God and your neighbor. Galatians 5:14 echoes the words of Jesus where we are reminded in verse 14 to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” All of these lessons and the struggles of a TEAM (remember there is no I in team) are so important when you see the words of caution in verse 15 where we are warned! Galatians 5:15 - “If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.”
In summary, the lessons that I read today have taught me that I can serve others by leaning on my faith before speaking and I can love my neighbor by humbling myself. I must use a kinder voice, the voice of Jesus, instead of the coarse words that FRANK so often chooses. If I am to grow, my words must come from deep in my heart and be Spirit led. Humility is hard for me and I must remember how this word… humility was taught to me that ties all the lessons that I’ve shared above. Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less often.
Definitions:
Justification / Justified: Refers to being declared righteous and free from the penalty of sin, not based on one's own merit, but on the basis of faith in Jesus Christ.
https://www.bible.com/bible/111/GAL.5.1
No comments:
Post a Comment