“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” (Gal. 5:1) As followers of Christ we are reminded many times to be spiritually minded (to be Christ like and Christ centered in our thinking). A spiritually minded person will never come up to another person and demand – “You must believe this or that.” However, a person with their mind centered on Christ, will demand by the authority of Christ, that you align your life with the standards of Jesus. We must be cautious never to align our lives with what the world believes, but on the words of Christ.

A person must first believe in the word. The word is inspired by God and written by holy men. (2 Pet. 1:21) The Word of God is not just something that man has dreamed up. It is not a book that is just good reading or a good guide for moral standards. We are not asked to simply believe in the bible, we must believe it is from Christ and all authority belongs to Christ. (Eph. 1:20-22) A spiritually minded person desires and teaches that the only true liberty, which comes from Christ, comes to those who believe in the word and follow the word – Christ being The Word. Christ said to the Jews who were seeking to kill Him: “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.” (John 5:39-40) Belief in the word of God (That the bible exists is one thing) – to believe in The Word of God, to believe in Jesus and obey His Will, is what really matters.

We are told to stand fast in the liberty by which Christ made us free. To stand fast means to stand firm (which requires having a solid foundation). In the liberty – the freedom which comes from Christ – Christ is the one who frees us from all the bondage of the world, and the sin which ensnares us (Heb. 12:1) As Spiritually minded Christians, we are called to present liberty for the conscience of others. We do not bring liberty (freedom) for their thoughts and ideas and opinions. Freedom can only come from The Word – only from Christ. If we as true disciples of Christ are free in the liberty that comes from Christ and if we are standing firm in that liberty we can only then expect that others will be affected in such a way as to become a part of the liberty that comes from Christ. That liberty only comes from a knowledge of Christ and humbly submitting to His will – not our will. That is true spiritual mindedness.

Many in the world today feel that if a person does not conform to their view of right and wrong – if a person does not do exactly what they desire – that person must be wrong. God does not hold such a view. “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36) God places upon us, as His children the freedom to serve Him as we are – not as others expect us to be. God is patient and kind and is always working by His Word to help us to grow into a more complete likeness of Him. We must always measure our lives by the standards of Jesus (The Word). We must earnestly submit to His Will – His will only – and be cautious to never impose upon another a burden that is not of Jesus Christ. There is only one true liberty – the liberty of Jesus which is at work in our conscience which enables us to do what is right in His sight.

Do not get impatient with others. Remember how God dealt with you – with patience and with gentleness. But, also, never water down the truth of God. Let it have its way and never apologize for it. Jesus said, “Go … and make disciples …” (Matthew 28:19), not, “Make converts to your own thoughts and opinions.”

Think about it!!! Mike

REMINDER

Please remember to fill out the directory information forms and return them soon so work can begin work on our new directory. This will be a great help to those who are new and will also be beneficial as we continue to grow.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY

To all of our mothers,

we love and appreciate all you do!!!