Hi how are you all today? I am well now but had a virus infection last week which wasn’t good. How are you feeling? The weather in my country is warming up – yay – I really like warmer weather. What season do you prefer?
This blog I want to explore the topic of living in freedom. Most of you will think I already do. I am not in jail nor am I being severely persecuted. I can go where I want and speak what I want. This is all okay but who knows that we may live in freedom on the outside but God wants us free on the inside.
For those not living in freedom on the outside, I am praying that you know God is with you and will strengthen you. This blog can be for you too.
So what is this bondage I am talking about? It is the desire to please others, be acceptable to others and fit in with others. Paul addresses this in Galatians 5 in the Message Bible. In verse 25 and 26, it states:
25-26 Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.
The verses start off with this is the life you have chosen. We have chosen to live the Christian life – to accept that Jesus lived, was persecuted, died on the cross and rose again so all people could be freed from sin. Even though Jesus has already done this, there is a choice to make – yes or no- and consequences of that choice will follow us into eternity. An indecision or not making a choice is the same as a no decision. It must be a conscious decision on our behalf.
We need to live according to our yes decision every day. This means following Jesus and obeying the commands of loving God and loving others.
But it’s the last couple of sentences I want you to focus on. It basically says don’t compare ourselves to others either good or bad. When we compare, we not only put ourselves in bondage but we tell God He made a mistake by creating us like we are. Just a note- I am not talking about sinful behaviour which God expects us to repent of and turn away from. I am talking about comparing our lives, our families, our possessions and our giftings to others. When doing this we come up short or get prideful. God wants us to love others not compare others. Loving means celebrating our uniqueness. God is a creative God and created us all uniquely. This not only means we complement each other but each part of Gods character is shown in each person.
For example, a person who encourages shows us God is an encourager. A person who is an artist shows us that God is creative. A person that is a teacher shows us that God is a teacher and expects us to learn.
The second last sentence of those verses really stood out to me. It states we have more interesting things to do than compare. God wants us to live a life of freedom on the inside. He wants us free to do what He has called us to do without worrying and comparing. God doesn’t want our minds focussed on ourselves but Him and the good things He has done for us and planned for us.
It is time to step out into freedom from others and walk in the freedom of the Holy Spirit guiding us. Comparison is hard- freedom is easy.
This week I encourage you to seek God and become free from others opinions and lifestyle and step into the glorious plan God has for you.
Bless you and keep living the life God intended for you.
Karen
PS if you haven’t heard of my new book, look at the resources page and get your copy. I promise you your life will never be the same.
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