"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
I love the idea of the Spirit making us free... granting us liberty. And you know, it isn't at all the way that some people interpret "the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32), although I of course believe that it will. But we so often use that phrase to justify selfishness. Like, I have discovered this thing about myself, which gives me the permission/freedom from God to bail on all of my responsibilities and pursue that one thing exclusively. We use it as an excuse to give in to lust or other addictive desires. Which is, of course, taking it completely out of context, because Christ made it clear that we would learn the truth through *obedience.*
These verses are essentially saying the same thing that it says in John, but they provide a little bit more clarification so that we don't misuse the statement. :) If we have the spirit, then we are free. If we are walking with God, then we are free.
And what freedom are we granted? The freedom to sin without immediate consequences? No. That's just another way to enslave ourselves. I think the second verse of the selection here really shows us what true freedom offers. To look into the mirror and see the glory of God in our countenances. To see ourselves becoming like him, day after day. To walk with God is to be lifted so far above our limitations and faults that we can overcome and transcend them, and learn to walk as Christ walked, and to love as he loved. As we learn to do as he did, and listen to his guidance, then we can have that spirit, and that experience of looking in the mirror and seeing ourselves becoming more like him. Today, let's seek that kind of 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
I love the idea of the Spirit making us free... granting us liberty. And you know, it isn't at all the way that some people interpret "the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32), although I of course believe that it will. But we so often use that phrase to justify selfishness. Like, I have discovered this thing about myself, which gives me the permission/freedom from God to bail on all of my responsibilities and pursue that one thing exclusively. We use it as an excuse to give in to lust or other addictive desires. Which is, of course, taking it completely out of context, because Christ made it clear that we would learn the truth through *obedience.*
These verses are essentially saying the same thing that it says in John, but they provide a little bit more clarification so that we don't misuse the statement. :) If we have the spirit, then we are free. If we are walking with God, then we are free.
And what freedom are we granted? The freedom to sin without immediate consequences? No. That's just another way to enslave ourselves. I think the second verse of the selection here really shows us what true freedom offers. To look into the mirror and see the glory of God in our countenances. To see ourselves becoming like him, day after day. To walk with God is to be lifted so far above our limitations and faults that we can overcome and transcend them, and learn to walk as Christ walked, and to love as he loved. As we learn to do as he did, and listen to his guidance, then we can have that spirit, and that experience of looking in the mirror and seeing ourselves becoming more like him. Today, let's seek that kind of liberty. :)
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