We are focusing on Col 3:1-17 and thinking about what it looks like to live for Jesus.\u00a0 We are dead to sin and alive to Christ and so life can now be lived in a whole new way.\u00a0 Last week, we focused on the freedom we have in Jesus from sexual sin and to live a life of compassion.\u00a0 Today I would like to encourage you that you are free from making your desires your god, and instead you are free to minister to others.<\/p>\n
You are free from Idolatry (v. 5)<\/strong><\/p>\n In v. 5 the Lord tells us we are dead to greed which (meaning this greed) amounts to idolatry.\u00a0 This is great news.\u00a0 God explains that I can consider myself dead to all the things that I am tempted to believe will make me happy.\u00a0 \u201cIf only I had more money.\u201d \u201cIf only my wife were like _______\u2019s wife.\u201d\u00a0 If only my husband were as kind and caring as __________\u2019s husband.\u201d\u00a0 \u201cIf only people recognized my great skills.\u201d\u00a0 We are all dead to this kind of thinking.\u00a0 So let us encourage you \u2026 If you are struggling with thoughts like \u201cif only I had _______ then I would be happy\u201d then please let me encourage you that you already have all things in Christ.\u00a0 You are dead to the possessions of the Word and are now as wealthy as can be in the heavenly places. You truly are dead to idolatry.<\/p>\n You are free to minister to others (v. 13)<\/strong><\/p>\n Not only are you free from making a god out of your own desires, but you are free to serve others.\u00a0 You have the privilege of \u201cbearing with one another\u201d and \u201cforgiving each other\u201d just as Christ forgave you.\u00a0 Where some people may be quick to separate, to ignore one another, or to attempt to hurt one another, we have the opportunity to bear with one another with the same kind of patience that God gives to us.<\/p>\n Are you struggling to forgive someone in your life?\u00a0 We believe the Bible teaches that you must always forgive–not because the injury was minor, but because you have been forgiven by Christ.<\/p>\n Freedom is something to be enjoyed and stewarded.\u00a0 You can consider yourself dead to idolatry and you are free to minister to others.\u00a0 Enjoy your freedom.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"