The Godly Gazette (The Freedom Process)

The Freedom Process

Freedom is NOT Free

Jesus came to set us free, and receiving our gift of salvation through faith in Jesus is the first step to claiming our freedom. But salvation alone will not keep you from falling into the bondage of sin.

Galatians 5:1 - It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again in a yoke of bondage. NIV

Christ died to set us free from sin. This does not mean we are free to do whatever we want, because that would lead us back into slavery of our own desires. The verse says to "Stand Firm" - telling us that we must resist the temptations of our flesh, the world, and the devil.

Putting God first in your life and submitting to His will is a key factor in being able to stand firm. God will guide you in many different ways, but the first and foremost is by His Word.

Jesus said in Matthew 4:4 that "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds from the Mouth of God". You need to be led by God's written Word, and believe that He will never lead you in a way that contradicts what His Word says.

The Bible tells us what God wants us to do, and what He doesn't want us to do. Reading, studying, and meditating on His Word will give us much spiritual insight and growth, and will point us in the direction of God's perfect will, which leads to the freedom that we are seeking.

Listed below are four things that the Bible tells us will help to break bondage and sinful behaviors off our lives. As you go through these steps, remember that it is your continued spiritual growth and personal relationship with God that is the ultimate goal. Breaking the bondage and addictions of sinful behavior patterns will come as you focus on discipleship - (learning to live like Jesus) and relationship - (growing closer to God through Jesus).

Submission: Accepting our salvation and surrendering our will to God.

Confession: Confessing our sins and asking God to forgive us.

Repenting: Turning away from committing those same sins over and over again.

Forgiving: Letting go of past hurts that have caused hardened and brokenheartedness.

Submission

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