Dear Lighthouse,

 

            Have you ever noticed all the irony in the Bible?  Often there seems to be opposites set against each other to make us stop and critically think about what is being taught.  Some examples:  “the first shall be last”; “blessed are the poor in spirit”; “whoever wants life must lose it” and many more.  Jesus often taught in such ways to make His points sharper. 

I have discovered one such irony in my life.  The greatest freedom you can know is to be a slave to God.  When I was younger I wanted freedom to come and go and do as I pleased.  But, as I found some of that freedom, it turned out that it wasn’t all it was cracked up to be.  Even today, when I go my own way and ignore the precepts and laws of God in rebellion, I find life to be wholly un-enjoyable and empty.  To sin is not to bring about joy.  Instead, to serve and obey is to grow the fruit of joy in your life.

This week in Sunday School we began a lesson on Obedience which we will wrap up this coming Sunday.  We talked about imposters in the Body of Christ and how we must be careful of them.  Galatians 2:4 reads, “[This matter arose] because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves.”  It is important for us to realize that we are no longer slaves to sin.  We have the ability through Christ to deny the sinful nature in ourselves and live a life of perfection.  But, if we momentarily fail, we even have Jesus Himself standing up for us to forgive us of our sin.  We are no longer slaves to sin, but instead should be slaves to righteousness (Rom. 6:18).  Only then, living within the perfect boundaries established by the Father, can the children live with true joy.  I encourage you today to learn more about the Father’s boundaries and discipline yourself to live within them.  There you will find true joy and true freedom.  Nothing can bring you down then.  For, as Galatians 5:1 goes on to say, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.  Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

            If you know someone near you, or you yourself, that is struggling with sin and the powerful lure it can be, invite them to meet with us at the Lighthouse or invite them to the Lighthouse Men’s Group or Women’s Group.  We exist to serve and glorify God.  I thank you and beg you for your continued prayer support for our ministry.  Our class is growing and our programs are great, but God must remain the focus and the goal.  Use your freedom to serve the Master with us at the Lighthouse.