The Bible teaches that true freedom is found in Christ.
In John 8:36 (CSB), Jesus declared, “So if the Son sets you free, you really will be free.”
This freedom is not just the absence of external constraints but the liberation of the heart from the bondage of sin.
John Eldredge in The Utter Relief of Holiness wrote:
"Have you ever put those two things together—freedom of heart and the passionate pursuit of God’s commands? The two go hand in hand. Genuine holiness restores human beings; restored beings possess genuine holiness."This quote beautifully summarizes the relationship between holiness and freedom.
The freedom we have in Christ does not mean that we can live however we please. As Eldredge noted, freedom of heart and the pursuit of God's commands go hand in hand.
The psalmist wrote in Psalm 119:45 (CSB), "I will walk freely in an open place because I study your precepts."
In other words, the psalmist found freedom in obedience to God's commands.
The pursuit of holiness is not legalistic or burdensome. It is a pathway to freedom and to the healing of our wounded hearts.
In Romans 6:22 (CSB), Paul wrote, "But now, since you have been set free from sin and have become enslaved to God, you have your fruit, which results in sanctification — and the outcome is eternal life!"
Sanctification, or the process of becoming holy, is the result of our freedom in Christ.
This restoration of our being through holiness is not just for our own benefit. It also allows us to better love and serve others. In Galatians 5:13 (CSB), Paul wrote, "For you were called to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love."
True freedom is found in Christ, and this freedom leads to holiness.
Pursuing holiness is not legalistic or burdensome but is a pathway to the life God created us to live. As we are restored to this life through holiness, we are better able to love and serve others.
To be a disciple of Jesus is to pursue holiness with passion and freedom of heart, knowing that it is the pathway to full and abundant life.
In Romans 6:22 (CSB), Paul wrote, "But now, since you have been set free from sin and have become enslaved to God, you have your fruit, which results in sanctification — and the outcome is eternal life!"
Sanctification, or the process of becoming holy, is the result of our freedom in Christ.
This restoration of our being through holiness is not just for our own benefit. It also allows us to better love and serve others. In Galatians 5:13 (CSB), Paul wrote, "For you were called to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love."
True freedom is found in Christ, and this freedom leads to holiness.
Pursuing holiness is not legalistic or burdensome but is a pathway to the life God created us to live. As we are restored to this life through holiness, we are better able to love and serve others.
To be a disciple of Jesus is to pursue holiness with passion and freedom of heart, knowing that it is the pathway to full and abundant life.
No comments:
Post a Comment