Throughout our nation, people are celebrating their freedom.
As we celebrate our country’s freedom, it is a great time to be reminded of our spiritual freedom. This freedom that Christ provides has been discussed in thousands of pulpits across the country this week.
Without the freedom in Christ, not one of us is truly free.
Sin is a trap that ensnares us for a lifetime of physical punishment bearing the wrath of eternal consequences, but the blood of the Lamb of God (John 1.29) gives us the opportunity to achieve freedom. The opportunity present, but each individual mush clothed himself/herself with the Savior (Galatians 3.27).
Today the question for Christians may not be “do we have freedom” but a greater question of “what do we do with our freedom?”
Each person can recognize freedom, but the actions one takes because of freedom truly makes the freedom appreciated. Without actions as a result of freedom, we are still spinning our wheels searching for the answer that only resides in God’s words to mankind.
Jesus said, “You will know the truth and the truth will make you free” (John 8.32).
The truth of the Savior is the truth of the Father. The Son seeking to glorify the Father while on earth (and be glorified Himself) pray the powerful words of John 17. In the text of the beautiful prayer of John 17, Jesus said, “Sanctify them in truth; your word is truth” (John 17.17)
The Savior asked His Father (God) to sanctify them or set them apart by the truth.
Freedom is found in the words of truth; that is, the words of God.
As a Christian, you have found freedom and truth, but what are you doing with that freedom and truth today?
Are you sharing the message of breaking free from the bondage of sin to glorify your Father?
Are you sharing the message with those still ensnared by sins dreadful hold?
While we recognize freedom, let us act on that freedom and share it with the world!
“Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.” (1 Peter 2.16; ESV)
Each day Christians are put under a microscope to see whether their actions are consistent with their beliefs.
There are many in the world who watch a Christian’s every move and listen to every word to see whether they are in line with what the Bible says. Some examine out of sincerity, while others examine out of a critical mind. Being an approachable Christian is important because we are the light of the world (Matthew 5.14-16) and our light will only shine as bright as our faith will allow. To shine our lights brighter and extend the grace God has offered us to the world, we must be approachable as Christians.
Being approachable means we must not hide under the guise of being perfect, but under the reality that through Christ we are being made perfect. Being able to give an answer concerning the hope that is in us (1 Peter 3.15) implies that someone is going to ask us about our hope. Going further, for them to ask us, they are going to approach us. Our lives should be lived in such a way that we are approachable Christians.
Take a moment and see how you can become an approachable Christian:
Be Genuine – Finding a genuine person is becoming a lost art. So many are creating an image in public and never showing any faults or mistakes. Our society seeks to rise above the reality that everyone is not perfect; in fact, none of us are.
Pray Daily – Where would each of us be without constant prayer? If we are not praying, I almost guarantee someone is already praying for you. (That might be the reason you are where you are.)
Seek Jesus – Stop seeking to be a “super Christian” and seek to be like Jesus. Jesus is the model for each of our lives. Since the church is the body of Christ and Christ is the head, our actions should be made fully known as we follow the head.
Be Honest – Honesty is the best policy is definitely true when striving to be an approachable Christian. Just being genuine is a major factor, so is the life of honesty.
Approach others – To be approachable means you must be willing to approach others as well. You must be willing to step up to the plate and approach someone and speak to them. Open yourself up to someone else and create a sense of openness.
For the past two weeks you have watched both political parties duke it out in the National Spotlight. Watching the volley of this political tennis match is daunting, but necessary to me. I am concerned with the state of our country and the future of my children from a national standpoint. The Bible is clear that we should pray for our leaders and I am sure people are praying every day. Lately, I have been praying for a leader like Josiah. I believe we need more “Josiah Leadership” than a leadership which pleases the masses.
We need Josiah!
“And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in all the way of David his father, and he did not turn aside to the right or to the left.” (2 Kings 22:2; ESV)
While the beginnings of Josiah may not be known to everyone, it should be known that he became king at 8 years old (2 Kings 22.1). A greater point to Josiah’s legacy should be the Biblical fact that he did what was right in the sight of God. (2 Kings 22:2). He lived in the spiritual heritage of his forefather David (2 Kings 22:2). What a powerful statement of heritage because we know that David was a man after God’s own heart. (Acts 13:22)
We Need Leaders to Stand Like Josiah!
“And the king went up to the house of the LORD, and with him all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem and the priests and the prophets, all the people, both small and great. And he read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of the LORD.” (2 Kings 23:2; ESV)
In the eighteenth year of Josiah’s reign, the book of the Law was found (2 Kings 22:8). Take special notice of Josiah’s emotions when the book of the law was found. (2 Kings 22:11). He knew the history of the nation and how his forefathers were evil in their acts (2 Kings 22:13). As the nation’s leader, He took a stand of dedication to the Lord more than his fathers (2 Kings 23:2-3).
Did you notice that Josiah stood before the people and read the Book of the Covenant? Josiah did; not the priests, not the king’s servants, but the king! We need more leaders reading the Bible instead of talking about the Bible.
We Need a Leader to Stand!
“And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest and the priests of the second order and the keepers of the threshold to bring out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels made for Baal, for Asherah, and for all the host of heaven. He burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron and carried their ashes to Bethel.” (2 Kings 23:4; ESV)
Here is where Josiah stood: The idols to the false gods from the temple were removed (2 Kings 23:4), the false priests that were ordained were put down (2 Kings 23:5), the wooden image was burned (2 Kings 23:6), the booths of perverts were tore down (2 Kings 23:7), Josiah defiled the place of Molech. (2 Kings 23:10), horses dedicated to the sun were removed, and chariots burned. (2 Kings 23:11) and He commanded the people the people to keep the Passover. (2 Kings 23:21)
We Need Leaders Like Josiah!
“Before him there was no king like him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses, nor did any like him arise after him.” (2 Kings 23:25; ESV)
We need leaders to take a stand on the ultimate code of law and morality – the Bible. The Psalmist understood the power of following God (Psalm 33:12). Our country needs leaders to read and see what the Bible says about life.
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” (Proverbs 14:34; ESV)
The Choice Begins with You!
The choice to build dependable leadership is by building dependable people of morality, conviction and truth. Each of us must make the change in our lives to begin changing the world. Are you making the change?
Will you put away false gods? (Those things taking the place of God)
Will you put away from you those false teachers? (Those teaching what God does not want?
When Christ said, “Follow Me” He was intentional. Jesus had a purpose behind calling those fishermen in Matthew 4.19.
He saw something in them and called them from their profession to life of service. He saw something in them they did not see in themselves. I am sure it took many adjustments to go from a fishing career to walking with Jesus every day. No matter how hard it was, the apostles lived an intentional life.
Their purpose was different, their thoughts were challenged and most of all, their purpose grew greater. Remember the words of Christ, “Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men”? Jesus was transforming their life to one of intentionally living for Him.
As Christians, I don’t think it is necessary to leave your job, but I do believe it is necessary to live intentionally for Christ. Because of Christ we are a changed people, let us live for Him.
How to Live Intentionally!
Start living intentionally today – Many people plan on following Christ tomorrow. If you know the great news of the gospel (1 Corinthians 15.1-8) and you know you needed Jesus (Acts 2.29-37, then it is time to do something about it (Acts 2.38).
Create a Plan – The old saying is, “Fail to plan and you plan to fail.” It takes some planning to live intentionally. Plan to read your Bible. Plan to take notes. Plan to talk with some about coming to services.
Start Small – Begin your intentional life by starting small. Get plugged in to the activities of the congregation and spend time with others who are living intentionally. Having a supportive and caring family is a powerful key to spiritual growth. (1 Corinthians 12.26)
A few years ago I ran across a small article on the California Redwood trees that intrigued me. Here is one statement form the article:
“The huge redwood trees in California are considered the largest things on earth and the tallest trees in the world. Some of them are three hundred feet high and over 2,500 years old. One would think that trees so large would have a tremendous root system reaching down hundreds of feet into the earth. The redwoods actually have a very shallow system of roots, but they all intertwine. They are locked to each other. When the storms come or the winds blow, the redwoods stand. They are locked to each other, and they don’t stand alone, for all the trees support and protect each other.”
The church is like the redwood trees; or maybe, better still, the redwood trees are like the church. When the storms of life rage against us, we reach out to one another to help bear the burden of the storm. Like the intertwined roots of a redwood tree, our lives are connected by the Savior, Jesus Christ.
As Christians, we want to follow the pattern of the early church because they were the starting point to where we are as a family. When they met on the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Jesus, they bonded instantly. They saw a need to assist one another as well as continuing in the apostles teaching (Acts 2:42-47).
The early church grew because of the continuation of the early church in the things the apostles taught them and I believe one of those things was the unity of the church. Jesus prayed for unity, because He wants everyone united, but also, because the bond of Christians is what helps us to achieve the peace that passes understanding.
Let us unite together to begin to change the world!
Several years ago I ran across this poem and have found it to be a reminder of how quickly life happens. Let us use today and contact those around us to lift them up and see how we can assist them.
Around the corner I have a friend,
In this great city that has no end;
Yet days go by and weeks rush on,
And before I know it, a year is gone,
And I never see my old friend’s face.
For life is a swift and terrible race.
He knows I like him just as well
As in the days when I rang his bell
And he rang mine. We were younger then,
And now we are busy, tired men:
Tired of playing a foolish game,
Tired of trying to make a name.
“Tomorrow,” I say, “I will call on Jim
just to show that I am thinking of him.”
But tomorrow comes—and tomorrow goes,
And the distance between us grows and grows.
Around the corner!—yet miles away …
“Here’s a telegram, Sir,”… “Jim died today.”
And that’s what we get and deserve in the end:
Around the corner, a vanished friend.
—Charles Hanson Towne
“For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” (James 4:14; ESV)
