As believers, we sometimes feel like we are too filthy to appear in God’s presence even after seeking forgiveness for sins committed. We start to think like “Oh my sin is too grave”, “Will God ever forgive me?”, “I can never be perfect” and so on. Little do we know that thoughts like these are the instruments of the devil to disvalue our place in Christ. Giving room for thoughts like these is equivalent to giving the devil the authority to have a say in our lives. Hey, Christian, do not be shaken! Who said you can never be perfect?
Perfection is God’s command in Matthew 5:48; Be perfect, therefore, as your Heavenly Father is perfect. At times, we get confused and ask questions like “How can I be perfect?”, “Is it really possible?”, “How can I be sure I’m right with God”. Well, I like to use the word “perfected”. Yes, we can be perfected. Let us take a look at how we can proclaim our freedom in Christ.
1. REAFFIRM YOUR FAITH BY CONFESSING CHRIST AS YOUR PERSONAL LORD AND SAVIOUR
For us to confess our liberty in Christ, it is important that we first acknowledge the fact that Christ is the source of our freedom and we are free only because Christ has set us free. As the Bible says in Galatians 5:1; "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”. It is mandatory to first realise that having Christ is the “only” ticket to freedom and a life without Christ is bondage indeed. In John 14:6, Christ describes himself as The Way, The Truth and The Life, no one comes to the Father except through Him. Hence, acknowledge Him as often as you can, it doesn’t matter if you have done it before. Who the Son sets free, He is free indeed!
2) PUT YOURSELF INTO SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT
If you have received Christ as your saviour, He has already set you free by his Victory over sin on the cross. Hence the question to ask yourself: are you living victoriously in the freedom that Christ has won for you, or are you persisting to live in slavery? Christ offers you freedom from personal and spiritual conflicts, sin and negatives related to your past, and release from the effects of pride and bitterness. To be free in Christ is to have the desire and the power to know, love, worship and obey God. It is to have joyful freedom, by faith in the Word of God, which is the truth, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, not to follow the desires of the flesh. It's an abundant life of growth in Christ who alone can provide for our deepest needs. The Bible says in 1 Peter 2:2; Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation. This verse simply sheds light on the passion we should have for spiritual growth as Christians because “Passion drives perfection”. We should be willing to let go of our old selves and embrace the lives God has called us to live.{attaining perfection by shedding off his imperfections consistently and progressively}.
3) VOCAL COMMUNICATION WITH GOD
As a newborn believer, your decision to attain spiritual freedom sometimes leads to a battle of thoughts. The stake in the battle is your mind. It is the cradle of everything you think and do. The
negative thoughts (like "this will never work", or "God doesn't love me"…) that you will have
perhaps during the process will only affect you if you believe them. The battle of your thoughts will be won if you commit to choosing the truth.
Find a quiet place where you can say some words of affirmation aloud. Personalise God’s word, and remember that God speaks to us through the Bible. It boosts your confidence in Christ and helps you to feel God’s mighty presence. Talking to God out loud feels like communication between an earthly father and son, it helps!
4) REALISE THAT GOD IS NOT A MAGICIAN
Imagine thinking Rome was built in a day, how hypocritical that will be! We need to acknowledge the fact that we all stumble and being perfected by God is a gradual process. Hence, falling into sin is never an excuse to remain in sin and rebellion. We mess up sometimes, but God’s grace is far greater than our sins. When we come to this realization, we free ourselves from whatever guilt the devil tries to put on us. If you don't know this freedom yet, it may be because you haven't persevered in faith or lived according to your identity in Christ. Do not let the devil bring you back into bondage.
5) PRAY
What most people do not realise is that each time we pray, we have a divine encounter with God and render the devil powerless. Someone might be wondering why this is not the first on the list, remember that the best comes last. Prayer brings hope which the devil doesn’t want us to realise. He knows that in Christ, you have authority over him, but he seeks to keep you in the dark about this fact. What sets you free is not the steps to freedom in Christ, it is the Lord Himself, it is your response to his call to repentance and faith. This is an opportunity to resolve personal and spiritual conflicts that have prevented you from enjoying the freedom Christ won for you on the cross.
CONCLUSION
Be aware that your liberty in Christ is a result of what you choose to believe, confess and let go of. It is a result of the decisions you make daily and it does not come for free. God has allowed us to choose and nobody can make these decisions for you. Decide to gain liberty in Christ today. Free yourself from the wiles of the devil that you may have peace indeed.
2) PUT YOURSELF INTO SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT
If you have received Christ as your saviour, He has already set you free by his Victory over sin on the cross. Hence the question to ask yourself: are you living victoriously in the freedom that Christ has won for you, or are you persisting to live in slavery? Christ offers you freedom from personal and spiritual conflicts, sin and negatives related to your past, and release from the effects of pride and bitterness. To be free in Christ is to have the desire and the power to know, love, worship and obey God. It is to have joyful freedom, by faith in the Word of God, which is the truth, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, not to follow the desires of the flesh. It's an abundant life of growth in Christ who alone can provide for our deepest needs. The Bible says in 1 Peter 2:2; Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation. This verse simply sheds light on the passion we should have for spiritual growth as Christians because “Passion drives perfection”. We should be willing to let go of our old selves and embrace the lives God has called us to live.{attaining perfection by shedding off his imperfections consistently and progressively}.
3) VOCAL COMMUNICATION WITH GOD
As a newborn believer, your decision to attain spiritual freedom sometimes leads to a battle of thoughts. The stake in the battle is your mind. It is the cradle of everything you think and do. The
negative thoughts (like "this will never work", or "God doesn't love me"…) that you will have
perhaps during the process will only affect you if you believe them. The battle of your thoughts will be won if you commit to choosing the truth.
Find a quiet place where you can say some words of affirmation aloud. Personalise God’s word, and remember that God speaks to us through the Bible. It boosts your confidence in Christ and helps you to feel God’s mighty presence. Talking to God out loud feels like communication between an earthly father and son, it helps!
4) REALISE THAT GOD IS NOT A MAGICIAN
Imagine thinking Rome was built in a day, how hypocritical that will be! We need to acknowledge the fact that we all stumble and being perfected by God is a gradual process. Hence, falling into sin is never an excuse to remain in sin and rebellion. We mess up sometimes, but God’s grace is far greater than our sins. When we come to this realization, we free ourselves from whatever guilt the devil tries to put on us. If you don't know this freedom yet, it may be because you haven't persevered in faith or lived according to your identity in Christ. Do not let the devil bring you back into bondage.
5) PRAY
What most people do not realise is that each time we pray, we have a divine encounter with God and render the devil powerless. Someone might be wondering why this is not the first on the list, remember that the best comes last. Prayer brings hope which the devil doesn’t want us to realise. He knows that in Christ, you have authority over him, but he seeks to keep you in the dark about this fact. What sets you free is not the steps to freedom in Christ, it is the Lord Himself, it is your response to his call to repentance and faith. This is an opportunity to resolve personal and spiritual conflicts that have prevented you from enjoying the freedom Christ won for you on the cross.
CONCLUSION
Be aware that your liberty in Christ is a result of what you choose to believe, confess and let go of. It is a result of the decisions you make daily and it does not come for free. God has allowed us to choose and nobody can make these decisions for you. Decide to gain liberty in Christ today. Free yourself from the wiles of the devil that you may have peace indeed.
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