Really Free.
2 Corinthians 3:17AMP
If we are really free our lives ought to be imitating satan. If we are free it’s, because of Jesus. Freedom doesn’t have to prove a thing. Freedom produces confidence. Freedom makes us bolder.
I’ve come up with this thought, When evil is present, and it is present at all times. Instead of using the name satan, or devil, I say, “Okay you losing defeated lier.”
I don’t stop there, “And then I turn to Jesus my Savior and Lord, and I worship Him!”
2 Corinthians 3:17AMP Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty [emancipation from bondage, true freedom].
The Apostle states, to turn to the Lord, who is Spirit, is to turn to the Spirit which is His, which dwelt in Paul, and which Paul gives. And he assumes, almost as an rule or principle of the spiritual life, that the presence of that Spirit gives freedom, as contrasted with the bondage of the letter—freedom from slavish fear, freedom from the guilt and burden of sin, freedom from the tyranny of the Law.
Now to study this evenings text farther, I want to read the text in perfect context. And give it to you verse by verse. 2 Corinthians 3:7-18.
2 Corinthians 3:7TPT Even the ministry that was characterized by chiseled letters on stone tablets came with a dazzling measure of glory,
though it produced death. The Israelites couldn’t bear to gaze on the glowing face of Moses because of the radiant splendor shining from his countenance—a glory destined to fade away.
3:7 Glory or glorious is mentioned fourteen times in this chapter. No chapter in the Bible refers to God’s glory more than, 2 Corinthians 3.
2 Corinthians 3:8-9TPT Yet how much more radiant is this new and glorious ministry of the Spirit that shines from us! 9For if the former ministry of condemnation was ushered in with a measure of glory, how much more does the ministry that imparts righteousness far excel in glory.
2 Corinthians 3:9 The contrast here is between a ministry that brings awareness of sin and leads to condemnation, and a new ministry that confirms to us that we are made righteous and innocent by the work of the cross and the grace of the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:10TPT What once was glorious no longer holds any glory because of the increasingly greater glory that has replaced it.
“Because of Jesus, we have been given a replacement policy. And His replacement policy is greater and more glorious!" P.H
2 Corinthians 3:11TPT The fading ministry came with a portion of glory, but now we embrace the unfading ministry of a permanent impartation of glory.
“As a believer you cohabit with God’s Spirit; therefore, this permanent impartation of glory only gets sweeter. This glory delivers you right smack dab into eternity.” P.H
2 Corinthians 3:12-13TPT So then, with this amazing hope living in us, we step out in freedom and boldness to speak the truth.
13 We are not like Moses, who used a veil to hide the glory to keep the Israelites from staring at him as it faded away.
2 Corinthians 3:13 Or “the end of what was fading.”
“Think about it, Moses wore a veil over his head, so no-one would know when the glory was fading. The Law produced shame. -Wow! P.H
2 Corinthians 3:14TPT Their minds were closed and hardened, for even to this day that same veil comes over their minds when they hear the words of the former covenant. The veil has not yet been lifted from them, for it is only eliminated when one is joined to the Messiah.
Notice, 2 Corinthians 3:14c...for it is only eliminated when one is joined to the Messiah.
“Believers, you and I, now have our share of revelation and unveiling. We get to partake of His glory!” We are walking with the Messiah. P.H
2 Corinthians 3:15-16TPT So until now, whenever the Old Testament is being read, the same blinding comes over their hearts. 16But the moment one turns to the Lord with an open heart, the veil is lifted and they see.
Paul is speaking on, Exodus 34:34, it speaks of Moses, the glory, and his veil.
Again, this evenings text, 2 Corinthians 3:17-18TPT Now, the “Lord” I’m referring to is the Holy Spirit, and wherever he is Lord, there is freedom. 18We can all draw close to him with the veil removed from our faces. And with no veil we all become like mirrors who brightly reflect the glory of the Lord Jesus.
Once, Jenny and I were somewhere in White, Ga. Traveling a county road, it was pitch black. We turn around a long turn to face a yard filled with Christmas lights. Lights everywhere! Once we got closer to the home, and my high beams weren’t shining in the direction of that particular yard, we both begin to laugh, because what we thought was thousands of lights, were actually reflectors. This property owner had nailed thousands of reflectors everywhere. On trees, limbs, At least, 15,000 all along their driveway.
It just reminded me, “I am to mirror Jesus. I am to mirror His spirit!”
2 Corinthians 3:17, Paul is teaching us that not every time the word Lord appears does it mean Jesus Christ. Here we see that “the Lord” refers to the Holy Spirit.
In, 2 Corinthians 3:17, The Passion Translation states, “When the Holy Spirit is ruling, speaking, convincing us of truth, there is freedom. “
2 Corinthians 3:18AMP And we all, with unveiled face, continually seeing as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are progressively being transformed into His image from [one degree of] glory to [even more] glory, which comes from the Lord, [who is] the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3::18, The source of our transformation comes from Christ’s glory, and the destination we are brought to is more glory.
“Remember, This transforming glory is the result of gazing upon the beauty and splendor of Jesus Christ.’
‘And this glorious transfiguration comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” P.H
We are called to be Ministers of a New Covenant! We possess, or can possess a greater glory than they... P.H
The greatest tool you possess in reaching out to God is, humility. Not false humility, acting lowly before men, and your everyday surroundings, but humility to God. Always submitted. Always surrendered. P.H
James 4:6-7AMP But He gives us more and more grace [through the power of the Holy Spirit to defy sin and live an obedient life that reflects both our faith and our gratitude for our salvation]. Therefore, it says, “God is opposed to the proud and haughty, but [continually] gives [the gift of] grace to the humble [who turn away from self-righteousness].” 7 So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you.
This submission is, Humility. Humility bows to God’s will every time. Humility refuses to make something we desire Gods will. Humility does not manipulate. Humility needs to win on every front- with spouse, family, friends, job, church.
Humility should remain present when you’re driving! Lol.
The battles of life is on. Life takes no vacations. There will always be challenges, so decide to be bold and fight back. Satan is a bully. His tactics are always the same...threats and intimidation.
Real Fighters intimidate satan and resist his lies. You have to choose the, 5 Scriptural Weapons:
1. Worship...
2. Words...
3. Wisdom...
4. The Word of God...
5. Prayer...we get to talk to God.
Again, James 4:7NKJV Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Another translation states, he, the (devil), will run away.
James 4:7TM So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him make himself scarce. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time.
Whatever satan confronts you with today, resist him and he will flee...It’s a guarantee.
1. Deal with your emotions.
2. Say yes to Jesus.
3. Humble yourself.
4. Read the Word.
5. Listen to the word.
6. Go somewhere quiet.
7. Stay around others with humble, submitted hearts to God.
8. Keep the knowledge flowing that you are free, and victorious.
The attacks you sense are real, but remember, “you have the Prince of Peace.”
“You have to come to the full realization that freedom reigns within. Jesus paid for freedom, so that makes it a fact. P.H
Isaiah 26:3AMP “You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination and character],?Because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation].
The Hebrew word for inclination became a technical term in Jewish tradition, and the rabbis frequently referred to the “evil inclination” much in the same sense as the sin nature.
They also recognized a “good inclination,” which the righteous choose to follow, and urged people to make their good inclination king over the evil inclination.
“Church, in other words, in everything you do, decide to make good inclination over bad inclination.” P.H
Again, if you’re really free, what’s stopping the freedom flow.
Galatians 5:13-14AMP For you, my brothers, were called to freedom; only do not let your freedom become an opportunity for the sinful nature (worldliness, selfishness), but through love serve and seek the best for one another. 14 For the whole Law [concerning human relationships] is fulfilled in one precept, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, you shall have an unselfish concern for others and do things for their benefit].”
When worldliness, and selfishness try to enter in and steal the show, Stop right there. God’s word beseeches you to humble yourself
Hear this word: Humble yourself in the name of freedom for the sake of your Lord Jesus Christ. He’s the strong Son of God. P.H
Galatians 5:1TM Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you.
The fact is, If you go back to, or believe anything over, or higher than God’s word, you’ve received a yoke of slavery.
“For the true son or daughter of God there is no going back!” P.H
