Here is a continuance of the previous post. I want to talk with you and share with you what I learned that the Bible says about laying aside the hindrances and being able to run with freedom. The freedom that God provides for us.
First, let's just clarify what hindrances are. A hindrance is anything that gets in the way of our accomplishing something else. In this circumstance, hindrances are what block our way to having a meaningful relationship with Christ i.e. our sinful nature.
Hebrews 12:1&2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perserverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
1) Lay aside your old self. Our old way of life before we knew Christ should be completely in the past. We should put it away, like old clothes we have outgrown or childish toys we do not need anymore. This is a decision that we make, once and for all, when we decide to accept Christ's gift of salvation.
Ephesians 4:22-24 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
We cannot be driven by desire and impulse. We must put on the new role for our lives and head in a new direction. We need to have the new way of thinking that the Holy Spirit gives.
2) Let go of the past. Ask for God's forgiveness, receive it and let it go. We can come to the Lord and, like David, express our true feelings. Have you ever felt like no one cared what happened to you? David had a good reason to feel that way and yet he cried out to the Lord and prayed to Him because He knew He cared about him.
Psalm 142 I cry out to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. I pour out out my complaint before Him; before Him I pour my trouble.
When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who knows my way. In the path where I walk men have hidden a snare for me. Look to my right and see; no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge; no one cares for my life.
I cry to you, O Lord; I say, "You are my refuge, my portion in the land of living."
Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name.
Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.
Through prayer we can pull out of the tailspin in our life and be reminded that God cares for us deeply. Remember, if God can bring you to it; He can bring you through it!
3) Lay aside your pride. Pride centers on one's own self; there is no place for it in a life focused on God.
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
Proud people do not take into account their weaknesses and they don't anticipate stumbling blocks. They think they are above common problems. With this state of mind, a person is easily tripped. The ironic thing here is that the proud person seldom realizes that pride is their very undoing. They don't see that as their problem. Watch out for this! It is a trap waiting to ensnare you!
4) Lay aside the mindset of pleasing people. Don't fall prey to this way of thinking. Ask yourself am I living my life to please men or living my life to please Christ?
Galatians 1:10 Am I trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Do you spend your life trying to please everybody? Whose approval are you seeking? Pray for the courage to seek God's approval above anyone else's. Don't be an approval junkie! By doing that, you will be captured an enslaved through your own doing.
5) Let go of your bitterness. Bitterness in your life disrupts productivity. It causes worry, depression, anguish, and despair. Give it to God. He is prepare to handle it all, but you aren't...so why try?
1 Peter 5:6&7 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He might lift you up in due time. Cast your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Carrying your worries stresses and daily struggles by yourself shows that you have not really trusted God with your life. It takes humility to recognize that God cares. Admit your need and accept help from others in God's family. Giving God all your cares and anxieties calls for action, not passivity. Don't just submit to your circumstances, but instead submit to the Lord who controls all circumstances. Realize God's greatness and care for you and humbly obey Him. Then regardless of the circumstances surrounding you, He will lift you up.
6) Lay aside your busy-ness! Are you so busy that if God tried to call you and talk to you that He'd have to leave a message on your answering machine? Sure...you might set time aside each day to read your Bible or pray, but what about the quality of the rest of your time? Do you only pay atttention to Him at the moment you have set aside for Him, but the rest of your time is for yourself?
Your work? Your money? Your possessions?
Luke 10:38-42 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself. Tell her to help me!" "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her."
Mary and Martha both loved Jesus. In these verses of Scripture, we see that they were both serving him. Martha thought that Mary was doing nothing, however, Mary was serving Christ in the way that she felt best. Martha didn't realize that in her desire to serve, she was actually neglecting her guest. Don't let your busy-ness become self-serving.
7) Lay aside your anxiety. Imagine how wonderful the feeling of never being anxious about anything. It seems like it would be impossible to live a life like that, doesn't it?
Phillipians 4:6&7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Doesn't it seem like there are worries everywhere we turn? Worries about our jobs, worries about school, worries in our homes...if you want to worry less...pray more!!!! Whenever you start to worry, stop and pray!
So, we have talked about things in our lives which are obstacles to having a life in Christ. Now, let's explore the freedom that we are allowed to run with when we submit to Him.
1) Run in gladness of having a new self. We have been born again of Christ.
Romans 7:4-6 So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you may belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God. For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death. But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.
When a person dies to their old life and their life belongs to God, a new life begins. The mindset for the unbeliever is one of only being concerned with their personal gratification. Those who have Christ as the center of their life have a new life. A life with God at the center. We find that their whole way of looking at things changes when we come to Christ.
2) Run with freedom. Freedom to realize that you can do all things through Him. The freedom of knowing that every spiritual blessing in Christ is given to our new self. We have an inheritance in Heaven that is more glorious than anything we could imagine.
Phillipians 4:13 I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.
The power we receive through Christ is more than enough to do anything that is in His will. He does not grant us some superhuman strength to accomplish things without regard to His interests. Still in our lives, we will face troubles, trials and pressures, but as they come, if we ask Christ to strengthen us He will give us the ability to face the challenges and rise above them.
3) Run with an eternal perspective. Come out of denial, turn over a new leaf and start a new life. Realize that you are a child of God and an amazing inheritance is awaiting you in Heaven.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.
Christians are brand new people on the inside. The Holy Spirit lives within us. We are not just reformed, re-educated or rehabilitated or recovered...we are re-created. We are brand new creations!!!! We are beginning a new life under a new master. Rejoice and be glad in it!!!!
4) Run with the joy of fellowship. I know I do! I can't thank my friend, Pat Collins, enough for inviting me to spend the day with her at the retreat. Enjoying the day and the time we had together plus getting to spend time with other ladies from the church was so enriching. I just had an incredible, extraordinary day!!!!
Hebrews 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing; but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
When we neglect Christian meetings we are giving up the encouragement and help of other Christians. We should gather together to share our faith and to strengthen one another in the Lord. As we get closer to the "Day" that Christ will return we will face even more spiritual difficulties...struggles and persecution. Anti-Christian forces will grow in strength. We need to support each other and give each other comfort and love during these struggles. When the going gets tough; the tough go to church!!!!!
5) Run with forgiveness in your heart. Forgiveness means that you are agreeing to live with the consequences of another person's sin. Forgiveness is costly because we are paying for the other's sin. It is only made easier in the fact that God forgave us and sent His only Son to die for us in payment for our sin.
Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave us.
All people are sinners by nature and by practice. When we accept Christ as our Savior, all sins are forgiven--past, present and future. God doesn't expect us to be perfect and never sin again. We will still sin. BUT if we confess our sins to God and ask for His forgiveness, he will not turn against us no matter what we have done. He loves us and forgives us. We should confess so that we may enjoy the very most joy and fellowship with Him that is possible. Acknowledge your hurts and feelings to the Lord and forgive others...that's the key to having an enriching relationship with Him.
6) Run with rest. Doing God's work or doing something in service to Him (being of character to glorify His name) is very important. BUT even Jesus recognized that to do it effectively we need rest and renewal.
Mark 6:31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them,"Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."
God rested on the seventh day, not because He was tired but to illustrate the completion of all that He created. His rest is also a symbol of what it will be like after His return. When the world will be made perfect again; every sin will be removed, none of us will hurt or struggle ever again....all we will do is REST, FELLOWSHIP with God and PRAISE HIM!!!!!
7) Run with peace. Throughout history God has revealed His strength and greatness to us. Through mighty miracles over nature He has displayed to us His glory and awesomeness. He can deal with anything on our behalf, and we are blessed to know that...it gives us peace.
Psalm 29:11 The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.
Remember that God can give you strength enough for anything. The power that controls creation and raises the dead is available to you....just accept His gift!!!!
DO YOU JUST TALK THE TALK OR DO YOU ALSO WALK THE WALK?????????
Continued in the next post...the final session...
