After the fact DW admits she did not want to go but enjoyed in immensely. Hmmm. So much for communication. I trust in heaven communication will be better. That is something I eagerly look forward to - communication.
Why is it when one gets together to pray and look at besetting sins we always stress sexual sin? People shared openly so that those there for prayer would know they were not alone. Perhaps there is an important answer. Sexual sins do not get spoken of. We are very embarrassed. I am not as embarrassed by my anger, my envy, my greediness, my gluttony. Now I am embarrassed by those things but just not as much.
OK, away from that. I mostly brought it up because the Sunday reading at the 5 PM service I attended was on Galatians 5. I thought of the weekend with the verses and the sermon that used this chapter as its basis. Galatians 5:1 Paul states, "It was for freedom that Christ set us free; Therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery." The preacher spent some time on what freedom was and was not, at least in the context of Paul's letter. Freedom is NOT licentiousness. Why not?
Perhaps I was seeing a contrast between Paul's attitude and the attitude of the author of the conference materials. Would AC say that one must be healed before one can be free? What would Paul say about the modern trend in some circles to seek after spiritual healing? Would he find it helpful? Paul says in 5:1 "It was for freedom that Christ set us free! Therefore keep standing firm! Paul says Christ has set us free. He is speaking to Christians who have determined to give their lives to God and walk as disciples.
The lesson read in church skips 2-15 and goes on to verse 16. So when he says you are free, he is at least first speaking of being free of the Jewish law. Verses 2-15 expands on this. The lesson read in church skips this and goes on the part about walking in the spirit and it's opposite walking in the flesh.
To Paul's mind walking in the law is close to walking in the flesh. We may not see it that way but to Paul is was very clear. A modern take is to think about creating our own laws, like laws against drinking, smoking, playing cards, going to movies, dancing, etc. These laws are often well meaning to keep us from falling into sin. But they are akin to the laws the Jews created to keep themselves holy before the Lord. Paul was very concerned about our heart attitude.
To Paul these laws were shackles, shackles that kept you from living in your freedom. However for Paul freedom was definitely not freedom to do whatever you like. I suppose the difference is mainly in the heart. Paul says "Walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh!" I see that as in the same vein as Jesus' exhortation culminating in John 15:5 "I am the true vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me and I in him, he bears much fruit. And apart from me you can do nothing." I think walking in the Spirit is directly linked to abiding in me (Jesus).
Paul tells them they are free. Verses 2-15 is something of an aside, working in the specific situation that he finds the Galatians, tempted to follow the Jewish law. The law seems easier for them and also for us to. Freedom is hard, its scary. We are afraid of what we are capable of if we are free to do as we like. We wish rules to make life easier.
Paul takes a different tack. Paul proclaims them free. They are free to walk in the Spirit of God. Also free to abide in Jesus. Paul is well aware of their reaction to this. So he explains what it means to walk in the flesh and what it means to walk in the Spirit. He encourages them to walk in the Spirit. Nevertheless he wants them to know that they are free. Christ Jesus set them free. If God sets you free you are free indeed!
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