So I’m writing about something I have
become really passionate about this whole
semester. I have heard a lot of talk recently (especially after we accept
Jesus) of how “in Christ we are made new” and by that I mean a “new creation.”
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has
gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself
through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was
reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against
them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are
therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through
us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf; be reconciled to God. God made him who
had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness
of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
WAIT SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
Basically what Paul is saying in 2
Corinthians is how we have redemption and freedom from the blood of Jesus. We
are completely blameless in the eyes of God. We are perfect in his sight. We
are set free when we accept Jesus into our lives! That passage tells us that
the one who KNEW NO SIN was made to BE SIN. I googled freedom to find an online dictionary definition and this is what I
got:
a : the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or
action. b : liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another :
independence. (thanks Merriam Webster)
That
definition sounds pretty nice to me. The absence of a choice of action. Liberation
from slavery. Liberation of restraint or from the power of another. If that
doesn’t blow your mind I don’t know what will. Sooooo what’s the hold up then?!
WHAT IS HOLDING YOU BACK? This is a very important question
to think about and maybe ask yourself. I challenge you to ask yourself what it
is. What is keeping you from being free? Mine was my pride and the way I lived
MY life. Is it your pride or your selfish ambition? Is it a particular sin you
have noticed and battle with? IS IT YOUR PAST?
I know for
myself, my family, and my friends that a past can define who you are. Sometimes
we cling to something we have done or the way we lived our lives. BUT WE CANNOT
BE CONSUMED WITH WHAT WE HAVE DONE. God forgets everything if we ask him into
our lives. We need to remember that we are not seeking the approval of man, and
that God approves us JUST AS WE ARE. We can rejoice in the fact that we are so
messed up, but that we have a savior that takes our sin. That takes our past.
SO WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE? (Being free)
After
we notice our sins and ask for forgiveness WE ARE FORGIVEN. But not only that,
God will FORGET. You will be washed clean, MADE NEW. I feel free when I ask God
to forgive me for my selfishness and particular sins I struggle with. I feel
free when I recognize who God is. When I try to comprehend his love for me.
When I learn more about his truths and promises. When I give him my burdens.
When I give him my life. When I stand before him and worship him with my whole
heart and soul. When I drive with my windows down. When I get to go on
adventures with Jesus and experience his beauty. (God put an adventurous desire
in our hearts for a reason!!!!!)
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(This picture is from when I went to turner park falls with some cool people and
embraced who Jesus is and his beauty!)
Think about what is holding you back and break free from it! Give it to the one who has already taken it.
WE ARE
CALLED TO BE FREE.
