By Pastor Alex Ruelo
The church always wants to do things perfectly for God, but to no avail. God is the God of order, and order is needed, but most of the time, man falls short of the things he needs to do. Every ministry has its own faults and defaults, and as much as possible, everybody tries to do things as well as they can. But at the same time, mistakes should also be allowed to happen. Many things can be learned through mistakes. That is the problem with most churches; when something goes wrong or if someone sins, it crumbles like a cooke.
The work of children is to make mistakes. Everybody makes mistakes. Sometimes, they think they cannot do anything right because they are always corrected for the wrongdoings they make. The church is in the business of people. Many people inside it, including the pastor, will make mistakes. It is nothing to rejoice about; but do not think that sin impacts Christianity and that God will change because of it. He is not surprised when man sins. He already has a solution for all of it. Many say the people inside the church are hypocrites because al the sinners are included in it. Romans 8:1-2 says, “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.” Christians make mistakes; but it has no power over him anymore because Christ has set him free. Galatians 5:1 says, “So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.” He set you free, but with great freedom comes great responsibility to do the right thing.
Christ died to set you free from sin, death, fear and shame. God has already set you free from all these things so you should also forgive yourself. This body is deteriorating, but one day, God will make you all new. You will no longer be ashamed of your earthly body because God will give you a perfect one.
Romans 6:14-22 says, “Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace. Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living. Because of the weakness of your human nature, I am using the illustration of slavery to help you understand all this. Previously, you let yourselves be slaves to impurity and lawlessness, which led ever deeper into sin. Now you must give yourselves to be slaves to righteous living so that you will become holy. When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right. And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life.” If you continue in sin, you become a slave again. Sin has no power over you anymore, but every sin you make has a consequence. You have the freedom. What will you choose? Do you want to be a slave to sin or to righteousness.
Freedom is personal but not self-centered. It is not for your own good only.l Galatians 5:13-16 says, “For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another. So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.” Do not keep it to yourself and abuse it. Use it to serve others. Romans 14:7-9 says, “For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.” It does not matter whether you are dead or alive; you belong to God.
Freedom and responsibility are inseparable. They go hand in hand. Do you think life would be better if there were no laws? 1 Corinthians 9:19 says, “Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ.” God will not force you to do what is right. The day you understand freedom and responsibility is the day you please the Lord. When you choose to do the right thing instead of doing what is in the flesh, then God will be pleased. You are responsible in partnering with the Holy Spirit to continually grow. God set you free, but you have the personal responsibility to grow in Christ with the Holy Spirit. It is your responsibility to experience growth and change in their character. Titus 2:11-12 says, “For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God.” You did not use to care about sin before. But because of the grace of God, now you choose to say no.
Do not be mistaken!
Freedom is not free. It cost God His son. It is free for man, but it is not free for God. John 3:16 says, “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
As God’s children, you should use your freedom to protect your connection with God and others. The freedom that was given to you to worship, to praise God, and to serve others need to be protected so you can be closer to Him. Galatians 5:13-14 says, “For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” You can come to God anytime. And when you exercise the freedom that God gave to you, you show that you are responsible with it.
In your freedom, you should live a life submitted to God. Romans 12:1 says, “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.” You cannot bear all the problems of the people around you. Submit everything to Him. You alone cannot do anything.
Perseverance is absolutely necessary to see dreams fulfilled. James 1:12 says, “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” If you take one step a day and trust God with every step, one day you will see the results of your faithfulness. You are free. Be responsible. God is good and He loves you.
You should use your freedom to love. Life is not about doing everything you want. John 15:13 says, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Your freedom should be used to do what is right. Luke 22:42 says, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” God could have spared Jesus from the cross. But God wants man to make the right decision and be responsible in doing the right thing. That is the freedom that He gave. Choose to do what is right.
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