Understand and embrace the freedom we have in Christ, while acknowledging the challenges and tests we face in our discipleship journey, ultimately trusting in Jesus as the source of eternal life and hope.
Good morning, Church family! Today, we're going to dive into a passage that challenges us to understand our freedom in Christ, the torments and cares of earthly problems, and how our discipleship is tested.
I came across a quote from Dwight L. Moody that I believe sets the stage for today's message. He wrote, "If you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ you are free." Let this truth resonate in our hearts as we explore the depths of what it means to walk in faith with Jesus.
Our Scripture passage today is found in John 6:60-71. Please follow along as I read:
As believers, we have been set free from the bondage of sin and death, and we are no longer slaves to the worldly desires and temptations that once held us captive. This freedom is a gift from God, made possible through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
First, our freedom in Christ begins with our liberation from sin. Before we came to know Jesus, we were slaves to sin, unable to break free from its grasp.
The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 6:17-18, "But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness."
Through our faith in Jesus, we have been set free from the power of sin and are now able to live in righteousness. This freedom does not mean that we will never sin again, but rather that sin no longer has dominion over us, and we can choose to walk in the light of Christ.
Second, our freedom in Christ is marked by our adoption as children of God. In our natural state, we were separated from God due to our sin. However, through faith in Jesus, we have been reconciled to God and adopted into His family.
The Apostle Paul writes in Galatians 4:4-7, "But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, 'Abba, Father.' So you are no longer a slave, but God's child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir."
As children of God, we are no longer slaves to fear or the expectations of the world. Instead, we can live in the freedom and confidence that comes from knowing we are loved and accepted by our Heavenly Father.
Third, our freedom in Christ is evidenced by the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. When we place our faith in Jesus, we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live a life that is pleasing to God. The Holy Spirit enables us to grow in our understanding of God's Word, to develop Christ-like character, and to serve others in love.
The Apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 3:17-18, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
This transformation is an ongoing process, as we continually surrender our lives to the Holy Spirit's guidance and allow Him to shape us into the image of Christ.
This freedom is not a license to do whatever we please. Rather, our freedom in Christ is an invitation to live a life that is marked by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). This kind of life is only possible through the power of the Holy Spirit working within us, as we submit ourselves to God's will and seek to honor Him in all that we do.
As believers, we are called to use our freedom to serve one another in love. The Apostle Paul writes in Galatians 5:13-14, "You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
Our freedom in Christ is not meant to be a source of division or strife within the church, but rather an opportunity to demonstrate the love of Christ to one another and to the world around us.
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