Liberty

Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18

Yesterday, we attended the 30th Annual Quad-Cities Prayer Breakfast at RiverCenter in Davenport Iowa. The location is some 150 miles east of home. We had an invitation from the organizer, who, with his wife, have become good friends over the course of the past year. The venue held, probably 1600 attendees. The couple to my right at our table had driven from Cleveland, a trip of 500 miles. There was awesome special music by recording artist Steve Amerson. The keynote speaker was Governor Mike Huckabee. His talk centered on God bringing good out of some challenging events in his life as he expounded on Romans 8:28.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

All morning, the verses from 2 Corinthians 3 that open this post kept coming to mind. This passage was not something mentioned by anyone during the event, but was something God was putting on my heart. Meditating on it further, I can certainly see that the message of Romans 8:28 is addressed solely to believers and the passage in 2 Corinthians 3 is addressed likewise. None other are indwelt by the Holy Spirit or might see that change to be more like Jesus (increasing glory). We ought not to lose sight of the fact that God is bound by nothing, save His own nature and unbreakable word of Truth. We are made in His image and are intended for unfettered liberty. At some level, we know this intuitively. Tyrants oppress. The law restrains. But one who walks in the love and grace of the Almighty transcends both.

What enables this joyous transformation to work in the willing?

And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 1 John 1:4-6 (KJV)

It operates by His undimmable goodness.

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Jon

Awestruck son of the Sovereign of the universe, from whom all rights and responsibilities of men derive.

3 thoughts on “Liberty”

  1. We become the same, but different. I still have the same number of hairs on my head, still have the same preference for chocolate, still admire witty turns of a phrase – but now it’s to God’s glory. The head now bows in prayer. The joy of chocolate is “taste and see that the Lord is good” (literally and figuratively), with an appreciation for creation that includes it. Those phrases now include the words of Christ – straining at a gnat but swallowing a camel is a great visual, enhanced by knowing the words in the original language are “galma” and “gamla” – a pun.

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  2. Jon, blessings for sharing these encouraging thoughts. Your chosen Scripture verses will guide my future study into the theme of liberty found in Jesus Christ. His light will lead us to a more righteous path where His forgiveness sets us free.

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    1. Thank you for choosing liberty! If we are made in His image (and we are), we were not made to be bound by temporal things. He is bound only by His own word. That is one reason it is very important to mind what we say. Bless you!

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