Freedom and Security

"As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, ⁷ rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving."

Colossians 2:6-7

Christians have received Jesus Christ by grace through faith, and thus it is by faith we walk in Him.  Freely have we received, so freely we give and live.  No longer are we governed by the Law of Moses written on tablets of stone but by the righteousness of Christ in faith, love, and obedience to God.  Forgiveness and salvation is a free gift we receive through the Gospel, and having been established in the faith by God we are to abide in Christ.  Paul went on to explain the impact of receiving Christ by faith in verse 10:  "...you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power."  The Law is the shadow and the Light of the World Jesus Christ has made it obsolete.

Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 3:17, "Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."  The liberty believers have through Jesus Christ does not foster lawlessness because the Holy Spirit always leads us to do righteously.  Jesus has freed us from the power and penalty of sin.  He has freed us from the bondage to our flesh, the fear of man, and eternal damnation.  Jesus has also freed us for His good purposes:  to make us fit for the kingdom of God as forgiven, righteous children of God by faith, to serve and praise Him, to boldly enter His throne room of grace to find help in time of need.  For people brought up in religion where their standing with God and the church is based upon their good works or personal sacrifice, the idea of freedom can be disconcerting. It reminded me of the following Garfield comic by Jim Davis:

Our perception of God and how we relate to Him can be a cage which confines us like the animals in the pet shop.  Jesus has come and set us free from bondage to rules and regulations of Law, and we shrink back from the freedom He offers because it is without the structure and security we are accustomed to.  Similar to how the animals preferred security over freedom, we can prefer the security of tradition or even ignorance--feeling like a fish out of water.  Now where the analogy falls woefully short is Garfield is a cat and not able to adequately provide for the needs of animals conditioned to be kept indoors.  Jesus sets us free from the bondage of sin and works-based relationship with God to a life of freedom in His grace and says, "I will never leave or forsake you."  The Law resembled a list a homeowner gives a house-sitter to know what his or her responsibilities are when they are away, but when they return the list is overruled by their guidance in person.

It is true in the excuse of "freedom" people have been given over to excess and even used their freedom to justify what God deems sin.  God's grace is not a cloak for our sin but true freedom is possible because God has made us new creations, born again by grace through faith.  The security in this freedom comes from the presence and promises of Jesus Christ Himself who loves us, gave His life for us, and lives!  We are called to serve one another and for all our actions to be governed by love, for love is the fulfillment of the Law.  Love goes beyond the letter of the Law and sacrifices self for the good of others and the glory of God.  Through Christ we are kept secure in His love, free from sin and free to serve.  Jesus said in John 8:36 that if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.  Galatians 3, Colossians 2, and many other places affirm how Jesus has set us free from the ordinances of Law He nailed to the cross and the establishment of the new Way and covenant by which we relate to God.  It is not a list of rules but a real relationship where God transforms us into who He created us to be.

Cleaning Up

Every few months I receive a letter or email that announces an upcoming inspection from the real estate company which manages the property we are renting.  Because of the current quarantine restrictions in NSW they will be conducting them remotely and requested pictures of the exterior and each room.  Usually we have weeks to prepare for an inspection and finish tidying up on the day, but the photos were requested as soon as possible.  We have always found the silver lining in these regular inspections which aid our family to take regular stock in the cleanliness of the place, promotes being tidy and organised, and encourages effort in upkeep of the yard.

Today I learned the difference between tidying up for a physical walkthrough or with photos.  As real estate agents and photographers know, pictures are able to capture and present the most flattering views.  A stack of papers, various dishes or containers, and loose clothing can be moved out of sight rather than being put away.  As I walked through each room and took a picture two things struck me:  I was pleased with the overall appearance and condition of our home, and how different the preparation was for pictures rather than a walkthrough.  During a walkthrough I had no idea where the associate would go or focus on so all needed to be cleaned well.  For pictures, however, I was at the controls and present each room from the best angle.

My mother taught me at a young age the appearance of clean does not mean something has actually been cleaned.  Picking up clothes off the floor and stuffing them into a chest of drawers did not constitute "cleaning" up the room to her satisfaction.  Clothes were to be folded, surfaces wiped, windows cleaned, and dishes washed, dried, and put away.  We naturally put a great deal of emphasis on appearances because that is what we and others can see.  Some people put effort into their physical appearance, and others spend time immaculately landscaping their yards or waxing their cars.  Even the prophet Samuel was impressed by the kingly bearing of men who God refused because He does not see as man sees, for God looks upon the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).

How important is it to address what God sees--the issues of our hearts--rather than working to present ourselves as faultless.  Tidying up our appearance by shuffling selfishness into a drawer or hiding our bitterness or lusts from sight of others behind a closet door does nothing to purify our hearts before God.  The light of God's Word and the piercing sharpness of it goes straight to the source of the problem within us.  The Holy Spirit is able to reveal what our flesh hopes to conceal, and God does so because He loves us and can change us.  It is not at a set time but in real time the Spirit of God knows what lies hidden from others in our hearts and minds.  His intent is not for us to try in the flesh to "clean up our act" but to stop acting altogether and begin to live as new creations according to His grace, walking by faith, repenting of sin, holy and governed by His love.

A Father--not Formulas

Human beings are incorrigibly preoccupied with self:  selfish, self-confident, self-conscious, self-righteous, and the list goes on.  The reason why self-help books continue to be perpetually popular is because we recognise we are the weak link, we are not completely content, and if there are benefits or life-hacks out there to improve our lives sign us up!  We are naturally bent to seek out formulas which promise to guarantee beneficial results in things like weight loss, how increase our net worth, superior cleaning products, and also in spiritual matters.  Passages from the Bible can be used like a maths equation, imagining if we plug the right good works or words into a formula God will bow to our will and provide the end result we desire.

Consider this passage in 2 Chronicles 1:7-12:  "On that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, "Ask! What shall I give you?" ⁸ And Solomon said to God: "You have shown great mercy to David my father, and have made me king in his place. ⁹ Now, O LORD God, let Your promise to David my father be established, for You have made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. ¹⁰ Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of Yours?" ¹¹ And God said to Solomon: "Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or honour or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life--but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king--¹² wisdom and knowledge are granted to you; and I will give you riches and wealth and honour, such as none of the kings have had who were before you, nor shall any after you have the like."

God appeared to King Solomon and bid him ask for anything.  By the way, if God offered you anything what would you ask for?  Solomon wisely framed his response in light of who God was, God's promises, and in acknowledgement of his inability to rise to the great task God had called him to as king.  Solomon's request for wisdom was not so much for himself but for God and the good of His people Israel.  God was pleased by Solomon's unselfish request and graciously chose to bestow all the things upon him people naturally desire:  riches, wealth, honour, victory over his foes, and long life.  I remember at one point of my life reading this passage and foolishly making a formula out of it, imagining wisdom was the thing to ask for as the means to receive all those other things I valued more than wisdom to walk in God's ways.  There is nothing wrong with asking for wealth or for a long life in themselves, but if these are our primary desire this can be an indication we do not value the true riches God has already provided by the Gospel.

When it comes to gifts our tendency is to desire and ask for things we can use.  Since we are the LORD's, having been purchased with the blood of Jesus, it is wise for us to follow Solomon's lead to ask for what God's will is for us.  Without wisdom Solomon would never do what was right in God's sight, and therefore Solomon's request was in submission to God.  See, verse 11 shows God knew the motives of Solomon's heart:  he was not asking for His own personal benefit but for God's sake.  Having been loved and chosen by God as His anointed, King Solomon sought to be made divinely fit for the task and God graciously rewarded this humble posture with much Solomon did not ask for.  I am reminded of what Jesus said in Mark 10:29-30:  "So Jesus answered and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's, ³⁰ who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time--houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions--and in the age to come, eternal life."  To call God Father like Jesus and be loved by Him!  To have the presence of God now and the promise of eternal life with Him puts the greatest comforts the world can offer in proper perspective.

Vitality of the Vine

"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. ⁵ I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."

John 15:4-5

When my dad taught me to ride a bike my parents gave me for my birthday, a point came when his hand was removed from bike and I was on my own.  It was up to me to keep my balance, steer, and apply the brakes as needed.  This is not the model Jesus gave to His disciples, nor the pattern for any of God's people in scripture.  The people of God have always needed to be dependent upon God for the ability to do all He has said.  The picture Jesus supplied of our relationship with God is the connection between the vine and branches.  The vitality of the vine extends into the branches and that is the only way the branches can be fruitful, and it is our connection with Jesus which gives us life, wisdom, and power to do good.

God told Joshua on the border of the promised land, "Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and of good courage."  God met with Gideon in Judges 6:14 which states, "Then the LORD turned to him and said, "Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?"  Gideon didn't understand:  he protested he was of a poor family and the least in his father's house.  The might of Gideon was not based upon his tribe, monetary wealth, or political pull but was in God who was with Him!  David was not proud to imagine he could fight with lion, bear, or Philistine but his God had given him the victory.  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego stood calmly before furious King Nebuchadnezzar and said as the furnace was heated seven times hotter, "Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us."  This courage, boldness, and power to overcome comes from God alone in the Old and New Testament.

The Great Commission was often put to me in my youth as something all followers of Jesus needed to do in Matthew 28:19-20:  "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen."  Since verse 19 begins with therefore, why and how shall we go?  Matthew 28:18 makes all the difference:  "And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth."  Because Jesus has all authority and is with us we are enabled to do what He says.  The connection between Jesus and doing His work is also seen as Paul wrote in Philippians 2:12-13:  "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; ¹³ for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure."  See, we aren't alone!  Even when we are separated from other people, we are able to do good works because God is already at work in us.

Our ability to do what God directs us is not then based on our ability but connectivity with God, that we are walking in humble reliance upon Him.  This is more than availability, for the branch grows out of the vine as an extension of itself.  Even so the resurrected life of Jesus Christ is lived out through us when we die to self, take up our cross daily, and follow our risen LORD.  Paul wrote in Philippians 4:11-13:  "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. ¹³ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  As Paul pointed out, the ability to be content and walk in the Spirit is a learning process.  Our spiritual regeneration is not some sort of magic which compels us to lay down our will and experience perfect peace in all situations.  We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, and continual communion with Him is key.