Monday, January 23, 2012

--4 of 52--


For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. (Galatians 5:13)


“I have liberty in Christ – I can do what I want.” How often this phrase is repeated by Christians today! We enjoy taking our “liberties” but we like to determine what these liberties are instead of studying God’s Word to see what God says these liberties are.

I decided to do a small study on the word “liberty” (i.e. freedom), and here are some other verses I found.

Romans 8:21 – Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
We are delivered from the bondage of the corruption of the world into liberty (freedom) in Christ.

2 Corinthians 3:17 – Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
Every born-again believer has liberty in Christ.

Galatians 5:1 – Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Even though we have liberty in Christ, it is possible to get tangled into bondage again - we are not above falling.

Galatians 5:13 – For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
We are not to use our liberty to please ourselves, but to serve others.

James 1:25 – But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
If we hear and apply the “law of liberty” (God’s Word – see James 1:22-24), we will be blessed.

James 2:12 – So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
We will be judged by the law of liberty.

1 Peter 2:16 – As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
We are not to use our liberty as a “cloak of maliciousness” (i.e. something to cover badness, malignity, or trouble), but we are to use our liberty to serve God.

- -
What is your verse for this week?
What does it mean to you?
Are you reviewing your other three verses?

12 comments:

Unknown said...

"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Phil 4:13.

I'm having my first baby in March and planning for a natural labor. Hopefully this verse will be a great encouragement to me!

Unknown said...

Romans 8:24-27
For we are saved by hope, but hope that is seen is not hope, for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope in that we seeth not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise, the Spirit helpeth us in our infirmities, for we know not what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groaning that cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the heart knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, for he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

The subject of hope has been a big one for me in the last year as I realized the ways in which I was giving up hope that God would answer my prayers or that I would be able to change certain things in my life and attitude. God is the God of hope! A big part of renewing that hope has been my prayer life, and I found that I really don't know how to pray. The second part of this passage, about the Spirit, reminds me that the Holy Spirit is able to help me to pray effectively and rightly, according to the will of God. I can't wait to see my hope become sight (especially if Jesus comes back in my lifetime!) and I can't wait to learn how to communicate more deeply with my Father.

And, yes, I am still reviewing my last three weeks' challenges. I ran through them all twice last night before going to sleep and I frequently pull one of them out to recite when I need to turn my thoughts away from a temptation or frustration and onto Christ.

Talitha said...

I love your verse this week! What you shared is so important in our world today, when many Christians try to justifiy their action. Christ did not give us freedom to do what we want, but freedom from the chains of sin that held us! What a joy to be free from sin, but bound by His eternal love and truth!

My verse this week is Lamentations 3:22-23--
“Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed; for His compassions never fail.
They are new each morning; great is Thy faithfulness.”

I love this verse because it reminds me of God's great patience and forgiveness. I mess up everyday, but God’s love is new each morning. Though I continually fail God, He forgives me, takes me by the hand, and leads me back go Him. Because of His great love and mercies, I am not consumed, but can start each day anew, knowing that God's love, mercy, and faithfulness are an eternal promise.

Anonymous said...

Yup! I did my review verses!

http://tirzahsdelights.blogspot.com/2012/01/week-4.html

Unknown said...

"Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."
{1 Timothy 4:12}

Being an good example is so important!

Meggie said...

Hello!

I've been memorizing Job 23:8-12 over January.

Look, I go forward, and He is not there and backward but I cannot percieve Him.
When He works on the left hand, I cannot behold Him,
When He turns to the right hand, I cannot see Him
But He knows the way that I take
When He has tested me I shall come forth as gold
My foot as held fast to His steps
I have kept His way and not turned aside
I have not departed from the commandment of His lips
I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food."

It just mirrors the trial that I was going through a few weeks ago.

Blessings,
Meggie

Anonymous said...

This week my verse has been Deuteronomy 15:10....Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart, then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in and all your work and in everything you put your hand to.

The word "him" in my verse means someone in need. I chose this verse because my word for 2012 is "work". I plan to look up the word bless, but haven't yet. I've learned its best to memorize the verse first then look up the words and meanings. I get confuse when I begin to look at the different versions.

Jennifer said...

My post!

Stacey said...

Great verses everyone! I love seeing what everyone else is learning each week.
This week I chose a verse to remind me to continue trusting God with all my heart...even when I don't understand why things are the way they are or why things aren't happening on MY timetable.

Proverbs 3:5-6 ~ Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Annie Joy said...

I learnt Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." I've always loved this verse, and it's a promise that God has given me this week.

I also learnt Psalm 91:9-16, and so I've memorised the entire Psalm. Praise God!

Lastly, I'm working on 1 Peter 1:8-9.

~Annie

Kelly-Anne said...

My verse for last week was Lamentations 3:21-23!! I am loving memorizing scripture! Lots of love, Kelly-Anne

Amanda Tero said...

My fourth verse was Romans 5:15. I posted about it here: http://withajoyfulnoise.blogspot.com/2012/01/verse-4-of-52.html

And I am working on verse 5. :) :)

~Amanda

withajoyfulnoise.blogspot.com