I was raised by my grandmother who didn't drive, we lived out in the woods of Washington State where it rained 300 days of the year. I was confound the majority of my childhood to a little trailer, not able to go anywhere or do anything. It would literally drive me crazy, I would scream, throw fits, bored out of my mind. I spent my time dreaming of a day where I traveled all over the world doing great things, not being limited because of transportation or lack of money.
Since I gave my life to Jesus in 1995, I've never been bored, God has fulfilled my dreams, including marrying a beautiful Caribbean girl, traveling throughout the Caribbean, Africa, Europe, South & Central America. I am a person of growing influence, making a positive difference in the world through God's grace. I am totally free to be all that I ever dreamed to be, nothing no longer is holding me back, and oh how I give all glory to God.
Being a Christian is not about conforming oneself to a religious organization and it's practices. It is not about what we can no longer do, it's all about what we can now do through Jesus Christ, whatever we give up cannot compare to what we gain in Him.
We can all be so wishy washy, starting relationships that never last, "we think something of someone, then find out something else, and say forget this I am moving on." We don't give time for a relationship to go deep enough where we truly understand someone and want to make real commitment. People often do this with God, they want a one way relationship, commitment by God but not commitment to Him in return. We want God available only when we need something. People believe because they give financially to the church, God owes them something, this is spiritual prostitution.
Colossians 2:6-23 explain the "now what" factor. Meaning once one commits their life to Jesus what should follow. Verse six says simply now that we have accepted Him we are to follow Him, which goes beyond Sunday morning attendance. To follow someone it takes knowing someone, so relationship with Jesus has to become the center of our life. We are to feed on His Word daily so that the seed of salvation gets roots on it producing ever growing faith, which makes us strong. The more we know the word, the more we are aware of God working in and around us bringing a greater appreciation and thankfulness deepening the relationship even more.
The more we know the truth the more we can recognize lies, the enemy will not stop trying to deceive us just because we are saved. It is like breaking up with someone who cannot let it go, they pretend they don't get it, and keep trying to push their way back into our life, and will go as far as we allow them.
As we grow in the knowledge and experience of Christ we realize He is the one who completes us, we have no need for anything else, one by one we let go of the attachments to this world. Now we begin to know what it means to be free. It's no longer about do's and don'ts but changed hearts and new desires. It's less a struggle to stop sinning for it is just not who we are anymore, we have a new nature.
Now this does not mean it is always easy, for our ex (Satan) is angry and will do everything he knows to win us back. During times of test's and trials which God is using to work His Word into our hearts we can become weak and fall prey to temptation responding to challenges the way we were accustomed too, giving access to Satan to operate in our lives again. Our Father is a jealous God and He will not allow us to cheat on Him for long, He will bring His rod of discipline, which will hopefully turn our hearts back to Him as we recognize our wrong and command Satan to hit the road.
The spirit of religion will try to keep us bound by using condemnation. If Christ is not the head of one's life, they are not His body, and therefore are open to demonic influence. Christ did not come into the world to condemn it, so those who use condemnation are an instrument of the enemy. Freedom from sin comes not through trying to obey the law it is the natural result of relationship with God.
Colossians 2:23 "These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires."
As long as we remain connected to Jesus our head, we His body, are free from sin, filled with love, joy and peace in the Holy Spirit.
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