We live in an environment that puts us in bondage. The world is constantly telling us to try harder, strive for perfection, and feel guilty and condemned when we make mistakes. Pretty soon, we’re trapped in this way of thinking and it’s making us miserable. Thankfully, the Holy Ghost delivers us from this.
Deliverance always starts with the Word being preached to us. The world looks at the message of the cross and calls it foolish. However, for those of us who’ve already experienced what Jesus did for us, we know this “foolishness” is actually the power of God. He takes delight in destroying the wisdom of the wise and bringing to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
We can’t ignore the truth when it comes to how we live. In a letter to the Corinthians, Paul recited a long list of sins that the world considers acceptable and warned them to flee from those lifestyles. Too many people think they can handle these issues on their own, but assuming this only ensnares us. We’re delivered by the Spirit of grace, not by our own struggling efforts.
Trying to live a sinless life without God’s help only makes it worse, but He’ll never leave us stranded. When our sin increases and abounds, God’s unmerited favor surpasses it and increases even more. Real freedom from sin is found only in Christ; when we know Him, we know the truth that makes us free. If the Son therefore makes us free, we’re free indeed.
We’ll never receive the love we need from the world; it only comes from God, who so loved the world that He gave us His only begotten Son. Real love isn’t about our own efforts to love Him, but our belief that He loved us first and gave Jesus as the sacrifice for our sins. Faith in this shields us from the world’s influence.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for empowering us to walk in deliverance. We choose to trust in Your love and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us daily. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Scriptures:
1 Corinthians 1:18-21
1 Corinthians 6:9, 10, 18
Romans 5:20, AMPC
John 8:32, 36
John 3:16
1 John 4:10, 19