"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery" (Galatians 5:1). Jesus has set us free! We no longer need to feel oppressed. When we believe in Christ and follow Him, He sets us free.
Part I
Have you ever experienced the remarkable freedom and joy that God offers you? God always offers it to us. Sometimes, we forget and consider that what Jesus came to teach us was not real. Or sometimes we think that it is up to ourselves to mend whatever sins have separated us from the right relationship with God (because a right relationship with the Sovereign Loving God is what it's all about). However, Jesus did provide the way for that freedom and relationship! He even says, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). Jesus is the only Way, what He is, is Truth, and He is Life! Whenever you feel as though God is too far, that is wrong. The Father is always there for us in Love, by Jesus, through the Holy Spirit (John 14:26, 15:26, and 16:7).
So, there is no more need to worry or fear. Jesus says, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own" (Matthew 6:34). Jesus reaches out to us. He laid down His life so that we could be set free. And, "there is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love" (1 John 4:18). Jesus already lived a perfect, righteous life, so when we believe in Him, God now sees us perfect through Jesus. Thus, there is no need to fear. Jesus did it perfectly for us. Hebrews 10:14 teaches, "because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy."
Sometimes, still, I find myself burdened by a heavy 'yoke of slavery.' But Jesus said, "for my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:30). God's burden and work is easy. He says what His work is to us. "Jesus answered, 'The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.'" When we believe in Christ, freedom is ours in Christ!
Part II
What additional things stand in the way, then; the Way, Truth and Life of Jesus, and prevent us from living His freedom? Let's consider the verses in Philippians 2:12-13 for two more possible reasons. Paul writes, "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed - not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence - continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose."
After reading the above, it may seem like there is tension in Scripture. That is the first misunderstanding: in what God is saying. The second is like it too, that we misunderstand God. God is good though and He is doing everything for a good reason. Hallelujah! He also tells us about it clearly in Scripture. Let's look at what God is saying to us.
First, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 'man' refers to mankind). God speaks to us in all Scripture, so this verse is relevant. But what it is saying seems to be that we have to do something to make it! Well, we get to do many things to work out our salvation, but we never have to worry or fear about making our salvation whenever we are believing in Jesus Christ. He died for us. It is instead like receiving a body from Jesus. We didn't make our bodies, but they are gifts! Whenever we don't use them, or practice skills, then we become weak and more tired, upset, or have a feeling of uselessness. That's not how it should be! Rather, to have a strong body we must work out by eating right (could be what we are 'spiritually eating,' as discussed below), by following God's plan, and especially by loving Him most and others as ourselves (the greatest two commandments; Mark 12:30 - these are the most important, and everything else hangs on loving God first, and out neighbor as ourselves). By listening to God's commandments, we will live the life that He made for us! In Ephesians 2:10 it says, "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." 'Working out' goes hand in hand with living the life God intended for us (see James 2:14-26 and 2 Timothy 3:14-17), and it is more fun!
'With fear and trembling,' may seem odd as well. Let's just think about it though. If there is no need to fear, and perfect love (who is God: "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love" (1 John 4:8)) drives out all fear (1 John 4:18), then there is nothing to fear, right? We are left to only 'fear' the only One who has final power and authority, that being God Himself. But God is a good God - He is Love (1 John 4:8)! Luke more eloquently writes the same thing: "But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after killing the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows" (Luke 12:5-7). See! It is a serious thing, but God is Love and He seriously loves us. There is no need to fear when we are with Him! That is one reason why many writers in the Bible say to 'fear the LORD.' For, He is the only One to fear, yet He is completely good and takes care of us, so we are set free in Him! He loves us and forgives our sins to set us free. In fact, He sent His Only Son to humbly come to earth and die for these wrongs in our life and to tell us that He loves us. There isn't anything else He could say! But, every day He continues to tell us through His Word (the Scriptures), His Holy Spirit, His beautiful earth, and His people! He has an infinite love. That is why we should share His love, not as the world offers, which may think that it is about being religious, but instead in how Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life (see also John 14:27). And if you are burdened by following the rules, that makes sense, because the rules don't set you free. They do not save you. Jesus saves! The rules are set far too high, set for a perfectly good and loving God. He has no sin or blemish in His presence, which is a good thing. Fortunately, for us, Jesus lived the perfect life, and offers His life for ours, so we can be with the perfect God. It is all about Jesus and His love for us. He did it, so let's abide in Him and help others to do the same! He offers hope.
Part III
Second, whenever you are feeling that you are not right before God, it is from an indicator. It's a beautiful indicator that God made and gave us, a conscience, that helps us realize when we are out of relationship with Him. Even it's very existence shows that we were made to be in right relationship with Him and others. He is who we are made for. C.S. Lewis writes in 'Mere Christianity,' that, "God made us: invented us as a man invents an engine. A car is made to run on gasoline, and it would not run properly on anything else. Now God designed the human machine to run on Himself. He Himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food our spirits were designed to feed on. There is no other." Lewis goes on to write that many times we put something else in the engine, and it goes fine for a while, but ultimately and further along the road, breaks down. This should not be so. Let's live for Jesus, with Him in us and us in Him. That is what is meant to be, forever!
Though our conscience on earth in God's design is a gift, it can often times be misunderstood, or He Himself misunderstood because of sin. However, Paul reminds in Romans 8:31 that, "What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us." (You can also read the surrounding verses!) God loves us perfectly! His love is infinite, and He has paid the price in full. We can read about it all through the Scriptures, and see that He does love us because He sent His Son to die for us (John 15:13). Obviously, He really loves us. There is no arguing against that! What is the matter then? It is rather that, "each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed" (James 1:14). We have rebelled against Him. This is a problem. Sin, or literally missing the mark, has caused the separation. And there is also an evil one in the world, enticing people away from Him and causing some of these lies to be believed! No more! Thanks be to God for He gave us the Way out: Jesus! Let's believe in Him, because He is the Way, the Truth and the Life! He is also Love. Therefore, the guilt that you may be feeling could be from one of two things. It is either that your not trusting and believing in Him, so of course you feel guilty. If that is the case, repent (or literally, turn around) and ask Him to forgive you of your sins! He will ("Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you" (Matthew 7:7)). That is one of the reasons He came. He sets you free, not a perfect life. Some other reasons too, are to love you and for you to have a relationship with Him doing what He has for you (like following His commands, because they themselves do not give life, for only Jesus does, but as healthy eating or not eating deadly things keeps one from getting sick or dying, following God's commands keeps us from harming ourselves and eventually dying: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).) It is really fun getting stronger in Him, and enjoying the 'body' He gives us.
If you though do believe in Jesus as God's Son in the flesh and the work that He did and you still feel guilty, no no no! That is not what God tells you. You are set free! Romans 8:1-2 say, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death." Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus! Say it over and over again whenever you feel unnecessarily guilty! Truly, as we have seen, (1) God's Word to us is a sword (Ephesians 6:17); (2) Jesus has the words of eternal Life (because Jesus is the Word in the flesh (John 1:1, and John 1:14, plus He is the way the truth and the life; see also John 6:68); and (3) He is our daily bread (John 6:35)! Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus!
Sometimes I forget that I'm set free and listen to one of these lies. No more! I pray that these Truths show you more of the real Jesus, who is the Way to give you freedom and Life. Because in Him we are set free. All that they are is what Jesus teaches. See for yourself in the Bible. Jesus has come to set us free and wants grow in a relationship with us, starting now, and lasting forever in heaven. Let's tell people about Him too, to not live under a yoke of slavery. "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery" (Galatians 5:1). Jesus has set us free! We no longer need to feel oppressed. When we believe in Christ and follow Him, He sets us free!
Hallelujah!
For a really great teaching on these topics and more, listen to
'A Word of Promise' at Door of Hope!
God Bless you!
Hallelujah!
For a really great teaching on these topics and more, listen to
'A Word of Promise' at Door of Hope!
God Bless you!
