Freedom Day 2

Romans 8:5-8 (msg) Those who think they can do it on their own end up obsessed with measuring their own moral muscle but never get around to exercising it in real life. Those who trust God's action in them find that God's Spirit is in them—living and breathing God! Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life. Focusing on the self is the opposite of focusing on God. Anyone completely absorbed in self ignores God, ends up thinking more about self than God. That person ignores who God is and what he is doing. And God isn't pleased at being ignored.

May I encourage you to read all of Romans 8. If you don't completely understand what Christ has done for you or have moments where you can't remember, it is a great place to be reminded of the sacrifice and the inheritance.

Freedom in Flesh

Freedom is a beautiful thing, allowing us to live lives in response to the promise of Eternal life. The scripture above says that attention to God leads us out into the open. Wow!! Have you ever stood in a field or on a mountain and breathed in the freedom of Gods serenity?

Freedom has a funny way of bringing fear though. On Monday when I stood in one of the most beautiful place I have ever been or seen, I knew it was majestic. Other than understanding the basic need to respect the boundaries of nature and laws of gravity it was time to start making the rules. The overwhelming sense that someone was going to do something they weren't suppose to do.

We like to do this to our faith. We start creating Religion in our freedom, doctrine and ideas to help guide people in the right direction. We become obsessed with measuring every ones moral compass. Instead of allowing people to focus, pay attention to God we show them what to do. Give them the to do list. Give ourselves the rules and lists to follow. Sometimes the best of intentions can steal away what God intended freedom to be.

Sometimes freedom in flesh is also the misunderstanding of what grace is. Grace is the gift that is given to reconcile us with God. Sometimes people think this is a license to go about "free" from ever being responsible for their sin again. Forgiveness requires a repentant heart, one that comes from understanding that we need Him to be reconciled to Him. There is no doubt that we battle with flesh even when we are new creations in Christ. We are still responsible for every choice we make, in this world and the eternal one.

The pendulum swings in both directions. Those that live by law and forget they can't earn their freedom by following all the rules and those that accept their freedom without ever focusing on the source. It is time to find the beat that comes with living a life in the true freedom that God's grace brings through His Living Word.

Heavenly Father, Your beauty and majesty of creation takes my breath away. A reminder of the freedom your sacrifice has given me. You know in my heart Lord and that I desire a life that lives in the wide open space of your freedom. Lord, don't allow me to bind my life with rules and restrictions. Be my strength when fear overwhelms me and takes my freedom from me. Renew my mind, be my discerner so that the deceiver won't tell me the lies that come from fear and law. Lord, be my focus so that when my flesh becomes a struggle I may focus on your truth and your love. Remind me that I am an example of your freedom and live my life as a response to You. I love you Lord ~In your precious Holy Name.

Please continue to pray for Julz Y this week.