Discovering Our Liberty in Christ

2 Cor. 3: 17 - 18, Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. NKJV

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. There's far more to our salvation than just being saved. We know that our heavenly Father gave up His Son for us, and in turn, His Son, Jesus, gave up His life so that we could obtain life. However, Jesus also died so that we could be set free from the bondage of the flesh nature, which is rooted in fear. The Lord wants us SAVED and FREE, so we will serve His purpose in the earth, thereby demonstrating to the world how great our God really is.

Those operating according to the flesh nature (the world) want to hold us in bondage in order to gain control and exercise authority over us for their gain. However, God never intended for man to dominate man, even though He placed us under the authority of His leaders. God has placed the body of Christ under His ministers and governing authorities so that we have the freedom to become all that God intended for us from the foundation of the world. Does that mean that every person in authority will diligently serve God's intended purpose in our lives? No, it doesn't. Therefore, we must conclude that even though God has set us under the authority of leaders, we have the responsibility of seeking the Lord for His will in our lives, and it is our responsibility to obey Him in it. Why does God want us free from the fear of man and of being dominated, yet, at the same time, has placed us under governing authority? While God desires that we be free from bondage, He also understands that we are flesh and have a tendency to "do our own thing." As we submit to God's delegated authority in our lives, it assures us that we won't stray from God's protection. "Submit to God, resist the Devil, and he will flee from us.

Time and again, Jesus told His disciples and the Jews, who had believed on Him that they must continue in His Word. Even so, when we read the writings of the Apostles, it's obvious that they listened to His instructions. James tells us to be doers of the Word and not hearers only that we might not forget what manner of a person we are in Christ. Paul tells us not to grow weary while doing well, for in due season we will reap if we faint not. As we continue to abide in the Word through reading and obeying it, it will begin to liberate us. As we become liberated through God's Word from the fear, lusts, and the cares of this world, then the Holy Spirit will be given the opportunity to transform us into the image of Christ. God never intended for us to be in bondage to anyone. However, He commands us to love one another and to bear one another's burdens. As we continue to be liberated through obedient faith and are transformed by the Spirit of God into the image of Christ, we will be a true reflection of Christ to the world.  

Letting the Light of Christ Shine Through,

Pastor Asa Dockery