Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Seeking Change?

This morning I am reading 1 Corinthians chapter 7 over and over again. It covers a number of subjects but a theme I see again and again is the subject of change. Seeking change. Somehow we think change will bring happiness... a change in marriage... or job... or location. Those changes can be helpful to a degree.

"Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity. For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ." 1 Cor 7:20-22 ESV

To 'avail ourselves of the opportunity' is a great thing.

"I want you to be free from anxieties." 1 Cor 7:32

God wants us to be free from anxiety. But change is not necessarily going to be what will do that. Circumstantial change may alleviate the symptoms for a while but the root issues must be dealt with in order for there to be true freedom.

"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." John 8:36 ESV

"But what does the Scripture say? 'Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.' So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman. For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." Gal 4:30-5:1 ESV

The old person we were will live in slavery in spite of circumstances because it is the child of bondage. The new person we are can live in freedom because it is the child of freedom. Christ has set us free by giving us a new identity in freedom. That new person is free by nature not by circumstance.

Let's live in the new nature. Grace is the intimate expression our God's communion with that new nature. Receiving grace will meet our deepest need.


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