FREEDOM AND BONDSERVANTS OF GOD – Ron McGatlin
The current world systems, especially the Western world, largely believe that servanthood is bondage.
We may sell a part of ourselves or our time to a business or job in exchange for the things we need or want. We give our word as a “bond” to be or do something at specific times for a certain period or another measure of service. If we live in a state, city, or community, we are bound by the laws of the governing bodies that have authority over those areas.
A simple, yet brief, definition of freedom is the unhindered ability to do what we want, when we want.
Religion has caused many people to believe that the “Christian life” of obeying God’s laws and church rules is a hard life of much self-denial, trying to adhere to many rules and traditions. In other words, a life of bondage without the freedom to do what they want and a continuing battle against their desires.
Other branches of religion have caused people to believe the opposite, that they can never be free from breaking God’s rules and must lean upon daily repentance for their sins.
FATHER GOD DESIRES US TO KNOW AND LIVE A MORE EXCELLENT WAY.
“But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.” 1 Corinthians 12:31.
The more excellent way involves falling in love with God and communing with Him. We are consumed and enraptured by His presence of love and blessings. Our hearts melt, and we deeply desire to be with Him and please Him. We feel no further needs beyond pleasing Him and being in His presence.
We love His people and are greatly blessed by gathering in His name to worship Him and fellowship with others in His presence. Our desires are purified, and we only want that which He wants for us.
We are strengthened and empowered by Spirit God to overcome old bad habits and weaknesses. We are satisfied and joyful as we become more productive and creative.
We no longer strive to overcome sin. It no longer drives us. It is distasteful to us as we walk in love with God. We are free to do everything we want to do because we only want to do what God is doing. We are God’s bondservants of love.
As we abide in Christ Jesus and he abides in us, His will becomes our will, our desires are only His desires.
John 15:7, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.”
JESUS TAKES AWAY SIN
Jesus did much more on the cross and resurrection than take away the penalty of our sin. Jesus came to live in us and take away sin.
1 John 3:5, “And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.”.
John 1:29, “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’”.
In Christ Jesus, and He in us, removes sin and changes our wants or desires to His desires. We want only what He wants, and we have everything that we ask. We are FREE of the frustration or anxiety of want as we continually abide in Jesus and He abides in us.
BONDSERVANTS OF LOVE
Being in love with God is abundant life and freedom from wants or lack. That which we have is always enough, and our hearts are at peace and satisfied. We are bound to Him and filled with righteousness, peace, and joy. Even in a storm, we are at peace.
The love of God is not a powerless, weak, mushy type of pseudo or pretended love. Even in difficult relational situations with the ungodly, the love of God within us stands strong and follows God’s leading toward resolution and peace.
We love and thank God for His Fatherly chastening to adjust our path toward more communion and thanksgiving with Him for His abundant love and provisions in this world.
Love is a peacemaker and never fails or runs out. It is greatly enhanced when requited but does not fail even when unrequited. God’s people love one another, joyfully caring for and blessing one another.
The manifestation of God’s love in the people of God is the key to solving this world’s problems. The fruit of love is joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Fulfilling the law. (Galatians 5:22).
Matthew 22:37-40, “Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.’”
Romans 8:1-4: There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. @For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
“To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27.
Ron McGatlin
https://openheaven.com
basileia@openheaven.com