Freedom in Christ

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”—2 Corinthians 3:17

Not only is Friday the 4th of July, but it is the 250th anniversary of our independence for the U.S.A.  For Christians, this means we have been able to enjoy religious liberty for 2 ½ centuries. That is a pretty big deal considering other countries around the world don’t have these same religious freedoms.

I try to thank God every day that I can praise and worship Him outside the walls of my home. Not only that, I am also able to write this blog post and have a YouTube channel sharing my love of Jesus through a knitting ministry. In some countries, I could be arrested for talking about my faith, censored, or shunned by professing Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.

2 Corinthians 3:17 tells us our ultimate source of freedom is in Christ. “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty [emancipation from bondage, true freedom].”(AMP) Paul was writing to the church in Corinth contrasting the laws of the old covenant and the new covenant they now had through Christ; one of love, grace and transformation, which leads to true freedom.

Once Jesus died on the cross for us, we were no longer bound to the covenant of the Old Testament with all the laws and rules. Now, we write God’s law on our hearts. His death set us free from sin’s guilt. When we invite the Holy Spirit into our lives, it changes us. His Word lives inside of us allowing us to live by freely obeying Him because of our love for Him, not out of obligation.

So this Friday when those of us in America our celebrating 250th year of independence, let us also be reminded of the inner freedom the Spirit brings us. Where the Spirit of the Lord is (our homes, hearts, churches and land in which we live), we will have true and lasting freedom.

Father God,
Thank You for granting our nation 250 years of liberty as well as the freedom to openly worship You. Continue to preserve our country’s hard-won liberties, I lift up missionaries around the world who don’t have this same privilege. Protect them as they continue to share the Gospel in areas where Christians are being persecuted. Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus so we are no longer bound to adhere to the laws of the old covenant. We now have a direct relationship with You. I pray these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

July Verse
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”—2 Corinthians 3:17
If you are knitting or crocheting gifts to give away, please make sure you tweet @KnitPrayShare or share your projects on the Knit, Pray, Share Facebook page or Instagram using the hashtag #KnitPrayShare. Be sure to attach a tag to whatever gift you make.     

Keeping in Step with the Spirit

“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”—Galatians 5:25

 A few verses before Galatians 5:25, Paul writes about the fruits of the Spirit in verses 22-23; But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

As I was reading a devotion about this, it pointed out what many would see as a grammatical error in this passage. According to grammar rules, it should read the fruit of the Spirit are not is. However, we know that to be one in the Spirit, we should embody all these qualities. The Holy Spirit within us is the Source and Author of all these attributes.

We can’t do it on our own. Since we live it the spirit, we have it to keep in step with it. We can’t force fruit in our life. We also can’t try to get God to “go along” with our plan. Our plan isn’t going to work. Trying to do things my way not God’s way never ends well. Thankfully, when I realize I have strayed, He hasn’t. God never leaves our side.

When we let God lead us, life goes smoother. It doesn’t mean it will be easier, but with Jesus by our side, we aren’t alone. Life isn’t meant to be powered by us. Through the power of the indwelling Spirit, we can call on Him to help us live out love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

In order for us to live out Galatians 5:25, it requires for us to communicate with God throughout our day. We depend on the Holy Spirit who convicts and leads us. It is impossible for us to live out and walk in the Fruits of the Spirit in our own flesh.

As we rely on God and not ourselves, we are empowered to walk in His ways for us which will produce Christ-like character. Making choices that honor God strengthen our character. Being dependent on God is not the social norm. Self-reliance is. We live unashamed of our dependence on Our Living God who is the Bread that sustains us.

Father God,

Thank You for being the Sustenance nourishing my soul through the priceless gift of the Holy Spirit living inside of me. I ask for forgiveness when I am not in step with Your Spirit trying to do things with my own strength. When I wander like this, I ask for You to quickly draw me back to You. Continue to lead and guide me in Your will and ways this week. I pray these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

June Verse

“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”—Hebrews 4:16 (NLT)

If you are knitting or crocheting gifts to give away, please make sure you tweet @KnitPrayShare or share your projects on the Knit, Pray, Share Facebook page or Instagram using the hashtag #KnitPrayShare. Be sure to attach a tag to whatever gift you make.