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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue #872 July 31, 2003 Freedom Some years ago, I had an opportunity to speak to one of the judges who was involved in writing Canada's then recently passed Charter of Rights. He was proud of the work he had done, but he candidly admitted they had made a mistake when they drafted the legislation. He recognized too late that such a document should also have included a charter of responsibility. Rights without responsibility can only lead to disaster in the long run. Time is proving him to be right. The Charter of Rights has been abused over and over again to force positions on others with never a hint of responsibility. Freedom. Everyone wants it. Many people claim to have it. We want to be free to do whatever we want to do. We don't want responsibilities, we want rights. We don't want to be constrained by morality or law. In our pursuit of freedom, we destroy ourselves, the lives of others and the world around us. We're like ships sailing out to sea without maps, compasses or other navigational aids. We might seem free, but we're still subject to shipwreck, running aground, storms and ending up someplace we didn't plan to go. Our ships collide, and all we can think about is saving ourselves and blaming the other ship's captain. It doesn't matter to us how much damage was done to the other ship or its crew. As that eminent jurist realized, freedom and responsibility go hand in hand. As Christians we're freed from the eternal consequences of sin. Some have decided that means we're free to go on sinning, yet that's not what Scripture tells us. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey--whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. Romans 6:14-18 NIV We're saved by grace. Does this give us the freedom to not do good works? But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder. James 2:18-19 NIV We're saved, so we must be free to look down on others because of our position, right? Wrong. Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear--hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. Jude 1:22-23 NIV I could go on and talk about visiting the sick, sharing the gospel and more, but I think you get the point. In Christ we have eternal freedom. Because of that freedom in Christ we have responsibilities which have eternal consequences for others. Have you been keeping yours? Until next time, rejoice in the wonder of the freedom and praise God for the opportunities to fulfill our responsibilities. Be blessed Hallelu Yah (Praise God)! Kevin YOU ARE Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour you are free. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed John 8:36 NIV Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. You have value in the eyes of God so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that heaven will not be complete without you.
There is only one source of lasting freedom, a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Would you like to be free? You can simply begin the relationship by honestly and completely opening your heart, admitting you need God's help, and saying a prayer along the lines of: Jesus: I have made many mistakes in my life and done things I am not proud of. I have sinned. I need your love and forgiveness. I believe that you came into this world and gave your life on a cross to pay for my sins and that you defeated death and rose again. Please forgive me, and be the Lord of my life. I give my life to you Lord. Amen If you pray this prayer for the first time let me know so I can rejoice with you. Did you know that at Gleanings, we have a dedicated team of prayer warriors and all prayer concerns are kept strictly confidential? Your comments, your questions and your joys are shared with the prayer team, to keep me accountable as the head of the ministry and to encourage them as they see God at work in your life. As with prayer all these things are kept confidential within the Gleanings team. To share your questions, comments, thoughts, prayer concerns and praise reports email us If you enjoyed this issue of Gleanings From The Word, email it, in its entirety, to a friend. For information on use of Gleanings in your church newsletter or other situations please visit the permissions page . You can write to us at Gleanings From The Word Ministries International 114 Oak St Sherwood Park, AB Canada T8A 0V8 © 2003 K.F. "Kevin" Corbin Gleanings From The Word Minististries International - All Rights Reserved
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