What is freedom? Does it really exist? People think they are free but really they are conforming in one way or another – some good and some not. Keeping the laws of the land as we have to means we are not free to do as we may want – speeding is a good example! To be historic, back in the 60's, people claimed that they were free to do it all, wearing flower shirts, flowers in their hair and the whatever but in the end they were conforming to the same ideals. There will always be someone or something pulling our strings. If those who pull our strings are at work or at home, in a comfortable/loving environment, we do not mind it because we love them and want to please them. When you are watching advertisements on TV do those who produce the adverts really think people are free? Obviously some people are more influenced than others.
Freedom:
Paul talks of the freedom in this passage to love: 13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. 14The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbour as yourself." 15If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
Flesh:
He compares the life in the flesh [we are back to Adam's basic instincts] and see how he illustrates it in verses 19-21. Note he says ‘the acts of the sinful nature are . . . ‘ to the life in the Spirit and he outlines the fruit of the Spirit in verses 22-23. Adam and Eve disobeyed God and hence original sin is part of our nature. Through redemption, Jesus-Christ sets us free 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.
Fruit:
See above and then he goes on to say that we have got to keep in step with the Spirit (v.25). In John 14:16, Jesus says: 16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor to be with you forever. Counsellor = paralete = one called alongside to help etc. in the place of Jesus. Keeping in step means walking in accord with the Spirit. We are not walking on our own ways. As the Son sets us free, we should be free indeed, that is the restoring process but we live in a world marred by sin. It's only in eternity that we will be perfected.
I wanted to share my notes on what Steven talked about last Sunday. Blessings, Yours in Christ.
2 comments:
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