Freedom means Love, Not License

“Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (, NIV84)

31 Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.

1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

“Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (, NIV84)

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.” (, NIV84)

“Cheap grace therefore amounts to a denial of the living Word of God, in fact, a denial of the Incarnation of the Word of God.” - Bonhoeffer

(NIV84)

11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.

This is NOT cheap GRACE...

“Cheap grace therefore amounts to a denial of the living Word of God, in fact, a denial of the Incarnation of the Word of God.” - Bonhoeffer

This Freedom that we have begins with God’s Love and Christs sacrifice. It never was and will never be a license to continue sinning because “Grace Abounds.”

“What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!” (, NIV84)

15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!

“What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!” (, NIV84)

Our “Freedom” then walks a fine line… How do we live as Free individuals, free from the law, free to act and live and worship. While at the same time NOT cheapening Grace?

Grace is free, but it cost the sacrifice of God’s only begotten Son, the perfect lamb, tempted but never sinned, poured himself out and became a man so he would know what and how we are tempted, but He never bowed to sin or satan He remained true to himself and true to his father until His death, his death on a cross hoisted over a garbage dump called Galgotha.

We move on...

(NIV84)

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”(, NIV)

13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.

14 The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

“Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (, NIV)

It is our lineage, the legacy that has been left for us, the history that we are apart of, we are NOT children of a slave woman but a free woman. STAND FIRM, prove to the world that you have been purchased at great cost. At the same time… do not get yourselves into a position to be “yoked” by sin. Live the life that God intended for you. Share that love with your neighbor.

“If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.” (, NIV)

Churches can become like a “den of thieves” on the prowl for the weakest members, gossiping, criticizing, dissenting. Yes we are all family, there are some among us like our Crazy Aunt Barbara, or like Uncle Bill. Or maybe we are all like Aunt Barbara and Uncle Bill. Watch what you say, how you say it… Is it salted with love or peppered with judgement and condemnation. I must tell you...

How do I balance walking in the Spirit and in the flesh?

“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.” (, NIV)

“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;” (, NIV)

This introduces us to the list of 19 sinful desires and acts that follow. There are

Sexual sins

Spiritual sins

Social sins

Listen to

“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (, NIV)

This deserves some explanation, we are all in process, the process is sanctification, it is some of these traits that eventually pointed me to the cross. If these can point me, and you are still struggling in these areas, Christ is calling out to you...

To the one or two that have perfected this list, and have avoided these sins. BE ON GUARD. Satan lurks in the shadows of our lives

To all of us… be in process,be in community, be constantly open to the Spirit of God that is found in a relationship with Jesus. Don’t dabble, don’t become distracted by these. Live and love like one that will inherit the Kingdom of God.

But...

Paul has just called us to task and then offered us a manual.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (, NIV)

In our family here in this church, in the larger universal church, across denominational lines, To those who are called by the name of Jesus in Spirit and in Truth. This is how we are to talk to one another. Period.

You may ask, Pastor Jeff how are we to call out sin and sinful practices? Great question...

I am following in my life and my ministry to Love everyone without the hint of judgement. I believe that is the command. What we don’t know is what are the consequences for a particular activity or attitude that is God’s place not ours. Grace and Freedom means Love, Not a License.

Should we rail obvious sin YES,YES, YES, areas that need to be corrected, areas where an individual is on the edge of the cliff, what do we do there? Pray. Seek Council. Read The Word. Be in relationship with the person. Use the model found in . Treat the person in the same fashion you would want to be treated should you get to close to the edge. Always be ready to welcome the prodigal back to your life and be ready to “kill the fatted calf” when it happens.

“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” (, NIV)

It refers to participation in the life of Christ, to be Christ’s agent in bringing his Grace and Love, His Gospel to a sick and dying world.

When we become a follower a Christ we take on certain commitments