Sanctified by the Cross

Galatians 5:1 (ESV) 1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. To say that we are free can mean many different things. In fact there are maybe as many different kinds of freedom as there are people to think about different kinds of freedom. And because of that we want to make sure that we are living in the right kind of freedom. The kind of freedom God intends. When anyone talks about freedom it is always in terms of being free FROM something. Something that at one point we were enslaved to: free from debt, free from guilt, free from prison, free from bad memories. Being free from some sort of enslavement. So when Paul says here it is for freedom that Christ set us free, what does he mean? In Galatians this freedom all centers around Christ, His work for the believer, not the believer's work for God, and therefore it is freedom from all sorts of things. Freedom from the Law - The unattainable demands of the law. When...

Proverbs 3:3-8 3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. Normally we focus on vs 5-6, And rightly so. Trusting the Lord, fully and acknowledging Him, and in that He will direct us. 100% true and the bedrock for us as to wisdom and guidance from the Lord. But this is not all that is here. Namely this passage also answers the question of how. How do we trust the Lord? Look at the verses before and after these famous verses. First vs 3-4 call us to focus on steadfast love and faithfulness, never letting them depart from you, having them at the ...

Psalm 46:1-4, 10-11 1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. 10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” 11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah God in his great kindness has given us a place to run in times of trouble. And in the midst of everything around us falling apart or His great power being displayed, the God who is exalted over the nations calls us to "Be Still, and know that He is God" -to remember his sovereignty, power, and strength. For us to remember that he is the LORD of hosts, commander of God's angel armies, He is with us, near us and ...