Freed … now what?
August 17, 2017
“It’s God we are answerable to—all the way from life to death and everything in between—not each other. That’s why Jesus lived and died and then lived again: so that he could be our Master across the entire range of life and death, and free us from the petty tyrannies of each other.” Romans 14:8-9 The Message
It’s easy to get pulled in opposite directions before the day even begins. Yesterdays have a way of coloring today and your response. A Christ-follower begins today with this promise: Christ lived .. Christ died .. and Christ is risen. That may not seem like much, but has held men and women together for over 2000 years. Every aspect of your life can be found in His life. If you try to live in this world with your own life as the foundation of truth .. right and wrong .. and looking for fairness .. you will be disillusioned and disheartened very quickly. Your life and all that goes into it is supposed to be different because of Christ. Jesus has experienced the full range of what you are facing .. be it good or bad. He’s experienced the temptations confronting you. He’s suffered silently against rejection and abuse. He’s walk through loneliness. He’s wrestled with life-changing decisions. He knows the full breadth of what this world offers as living. He’s freed you from the pulling influences of petty tyrannies. Those are anything that reduces your life to you trying to fight battles in your own strength. The battle is real. You will fight in your own strength or choose to drag all those soul weary .. mind robbing .. heart burdens to this Jesus. One of the biggest battles may just be time. You don’t just store it away for later but you make time to give it to the Lord now! Will God find space in you for worship .. space in you for filling with His love .. and space in you for His life? It only takes a moment …
“With promises like this to pull us on, dear friends, let’s make a clean break with everything that defiles or distracts us, both within and without. Let’s make our entire lives fit and holy temples for the worship of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1 The Message
Ken Chester: Grace-Gripped is sent to Scattered followers of Christ: kchesterp1@gmail.com