Contemplation #175
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Galatians 5:1
Paul seems to believe that all would accept, at least by this point in his letter, that Christ set us free. However, the question is to what end we were liberated. This he answers clearly: it was for freedom. To not live in the freedom that Christ won for us is to undo what was done for us. This freedom is not simply a freedom from one set of laws so we might live under another, but a freedom from living under the burden of regulations to soaring with and within the way of the Spirit. The use of that freedom within God’s Spirit does not lead us back into catering to sinful desires for the practice of love to one another (Gal. 5:13).
Contemplation #176
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17
The very presence of God’s Spirit ushers us into a free existence. In this passage Paul speaks about a veil covering Moses’ face so the people could not see the glory of God that radiated from him because he’d been in the presence of God, and a veil therefore also covered the hearts of the people. The Israelites who were afraid to see the vestiges of God’s glory on Moses’ countenance also missed out on seeing the glory of God. Paul is saying that the barrier to seeing God’s glory is removed, and to see God in his beauty is to live in a new freedom of the Spirit. Our freedom is not from instructions (laws) per se, but from a life defined solely by them and where God is hidden from us.
Contemplation #177
Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. 1 Peter 2:16
Peter’s instruction is that these believers who were being maligned by unbelieving neighbors live as free people. Why is that necessary? There is a powerful testimony to God’s grace and the presence of His Spirit when we live as free men and women. If we live as slaves to rules and burdened by regulations we give witness to a small god. When we live from within the Spirit as people of freedom and inner guidance, God is glorified. So radical is our freedom that is has been and will always be misinterpreted as an excuse for evil. Our witness is that while totally free, our love for God draws us to what is good, righteous, and pure. God’s magnificent work is seen by others in us because while radically free we do good.
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Galatians 5:1
Paul seems to believe that all would accept, at least by this point in his letter, that Christ set us free. However, the question is to what end we were liberated. This he answers clearly: it was for freedom. To not live in the freedom that Christ won for us is to undo what was done for us. This freedom is not simply a freedom from one set of laws so we might live under another, but a freedom from living under the burden of regulations to soaring with and within the way of the Spirit. The use of that freedom within God’s Spirit does not lead us back into catering to sinful desires for the practice of love to one another (Gal. 5:13).
Contemplation #176
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17
The very presence of God’s Spirit ushers us into a free existence. In this passage Paul speaks about a veil covering Moses’ face so the people could not see the glory of God that radiated from him because he’d been in the presence of God, and a veil therefore also covered the hearts of the people. The Israelites who were afraid to see the vestiges of God’s glory on Moses’ countenance also missed out on seeing the glory of God. Paul is saying that the barrier to seeing God’s glory is removed, and to see God in his beauty is to live in a new freedom of the Spirit. Our freedom is not from instructions (laws) per se, but from a life defined solely by them and where God is hidden from us.
Contemplation #177
Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. 1 Peter 2:16
Peter’s instruction is that these believers who were being maligned by unbelieving neighbors live as free people. Why is that necessary? There is a powerful testimony to God’s grace and the presence of His Spirit when we live as free men and women. If we live as slaves to rules and burdened by regulations we give witness to a small god. When we live from within the Spirit as people of freedom and inner guidance, God is glorified. So radical is our freedom that is has been and will always be misinterpreted as an excuse for evil. Our witness is that while totally free, our love for God draws us to what is good, righteous, and pure. God’s magnificent work is seen by others in us because while radically free we do good.
posted by Greg at 8:14 AM
<< Home