Freedom is available... if you choose it

When I write my newsletters I obviously write them from a "Christ centered" perspective. I assume that if you take the time to read my messages, you must be a believer in Christ as well. While many of us have variations in our beliefs, I hope we can come together to agree on some basic fundamentals. This is my sincere hope and goal when writing to all of you. If you carry these core beliefs, then I believe you must put them into practice when dealing with this or any other struggle you may have. Today I want you to question whether or not you are truly allowing that God given power, to help you overcome any surmounting difficulty that you are facing.

Let me show you something that it says in the Bible about overcoming any challenges (body, money, relationships, etc.). If you believe in Christ, then you need to truly understand the power of what he did for you and the power that is available to help you. Please read this next part carefully and ask the Lord to help you internalize it into your heart. I have asked Him to do the same for me. It's a bit long, but I believe it will help you tremendously, if you will read it to the end.

In my last newsletter, I mentioned that Christ came to amend the Law of Moses. What does this mean? It means that the Law was in place to help the people gain a righteousness through these laws. They did that by observing specific practices. By keeping these laws, they were able to approach God & live in His favor. However, the time came for God to send His Son to be the living sacrifice for our sins. This ultimate sacrifice of God's Son was done so that we could approach God willingly and without restriction and receive the power He promised to His heirs. Why do I tell you all of this? Because when we continually lean on our own strength to handle our weaknesses, we negate the point for which Christ came and died for us. We are trying to get ahead by our own righteousness or greatness when it comes to gaining control over our bodies.

It says in Galatians 3:22-25 NIV- But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.

What is faith again? Hebrews 11:1 KJV-
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Faith is not living by what we can tangibly see and do ourselves. It comes through believing in something that we can't see or do completely for ourselves.

When we believe in what Christ did for us, we are now free to receive God's inheritance because we are heirs. Children of the Father. Able to approach Him freely and intimately. Before Christ, we couldn't do that.
Galatians 3:26-29 NIV- You are all sons (and daughters) of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Stay with me. I want you to read all of this so that you understand it completely. The Apostle Paul continues explaining this principle in Galatians 4:3-7 NIV- So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, Born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons (and daughters). Because you are sons (and daughters), God sent the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." So you are a son (and daughter), God has made you also an heir. Before you were grafted into "Son-ship" through Christ's sacrifice, you were in bondage to the world and all the things that enslave us in this world, your body being one of them. But now because you are a joint heir with Christ in God's power (His Spirit), you have freedom from the things that oppress you in this world.
The power of His spirit is residing within you to help you.... if you will allow it to!

Paul continues clarifying this principle in Galatians 4:8-9 NIV- Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God- or rather are known by God- how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?
That is so big!!! When we don't rely on the power of the Spirit to help us... we are turning back to a much WEAKER approach. That "weaker approach" is leaning on our own efforts to overcome our weaknesses.

Paul continues the teaching in Galatians 5:1 NIV- 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.
"Standing Firm" comes across to me as not letting ourselves be knocked down. When we "lean" on something we don't fall because the object holds us up. Leaning on God's Spirit, helps us Stand Firm!!!

In conclusion, Paul advises us on "how" to live by the Spirit in Galatians 5:16-25 NIV- So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under (the former) law. The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

In regards to the sinful nature I emphasized idolatry, drunkenness, orgies and the like. I singled out idolatry because I believe that when we are putting food above God, we are in essence worshiping an idol. We are making it god over our lives, rather than the true God. I also emphasized "the like" part of "drunkenness, orgies and the like." I did that because I believe it is pointing out lack of control over the appetites of the flesh. Any thing that allows the appetites of the flesh to take over, is out of harmony with the Spirit and is a part of our sinful nature.

In the fruits of the Spirit. I emphasized love, joy, peace, patience, faithfulness and self-control. I believe these traits can be better cultivated in getting control over our weight. When we turn towards the Spirit, we will receive help in loving ourselves and others, it will give us the ability to feel joyful and happy with ourselves and toward others, the Spirit will allow us to be at peace with ourselves and with others, it will enable us to have patience with ourselves and with others, the Spirit of God will strengthen our faith in Him, which we need to continuously help us in ALL things. The enormous strength of the Spirit will empower us to master self-control over our bodies, which is what all of us here desperately seek.

I pray that we can all remember to exercise our faith in God when it comes to overcoming our weaknesses and when we do that, we will take advantage of what Christ did for us!!!! We cannot live by our own power to get this done.... we need to lean on the Spirit of God and His power! Only then will we truly be FREE in the way we were intended to be!!!!