Friday: June 7, 2013

READ: Galatians 5

THINK: “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” (vs. 1)

Have you been struggling with the same sin for many days, months, or even years? Have you reached a point where you have told yourself “This is just the way I am; I’ll always be this way?” Maybe you’ve convinced yourself that there is no breaking free from the hold that lust or pride or envy has on your life. Maybe you’ve begun to justify your jealousy or rage. Unfortunately, it is common for believers in Jesus to become content managing sin in their lives, rather than taking hold of the truth of God’s grace and allowing Him to give us complete freedom from sin.

“And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires”(vs 24).

Brothers and sisters, if you have received forgiveness through Jesus and submitted to His lordship in your life, you no longer need to go on sinning. Our sins have been nailed to the cross and we have been given freedom from Jesus for TODAY and TOMORROW and the next day! We don’t have to wait until heaven to have victory over our sin. We can experience freedom this very moment!

As a follower of Jesus, your life  should be unmistakably marked by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. When you receive the Holy Spirit, these are the gifts you receive. If it’s difficult to identify these fruits in your life, talk to Jesus. Let Him know that you desperately need His Spirit to help you walk in freedom from the  burden of sin. If any of the sins listed in verses 19-21 seem to define you – remember that you have been given freedom from them and you need to choose moment by moment to live in the power of the Spirit! We have power through the Spirit to be done with our sin and move forward in Christ likeness.

PRAY: Father, thank you for sending Jesus to take the punishment for my sin. Thank you for the complete freedom I can experience from my sin. Today I choose to walk in your Spirit. Give me all I need to be full of  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control today. Thank you for the freedom I have through you to leave my sin behind and move forward in the fruits of your Spirit.