(7/1) Saint Paul, in his letters and chapters in the Bible, has numerous references to freedom in the body and the spirit. The following three references include thoughts and explanations of the meaning.

Galatians 5:1, NIV. 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.

Paul focuses in Galatians on the freedom given to us by Christ Jesus and especially his death and resurrection which purchased it for all believers. At the end of chapter four Paul declared that the Christian believer has "no connection with the law as a means of obtaining divine favor" and for that very reason the believer is a free person. First, the life the believer lives is not his own life, but the life of the Holy Spirit embedded in him by means of his relationship with Jesus Christ in his salvation and his living in the Holy Spirit in conjunction with the Words of Truth from the Holy Scriptures.

Secondly, the result of faith is the imbuement of the Holy Spirit upon the individual’s life which empowers him\her to live in submission to God through the power of the Word and the anointing and application of the Spirit to the mind and soul of the individual. Believers are commanded to walk [or live] in the power of the Holy Spirit thereby producing godliness in one’s life that is provided to him\her by the continual relationship with both the Word of God (either studied or preached) and prayerful communion through the Holy Spirit with God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.

Romans 6:6-7, NIV. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin – because anyone who had died has been freed from sin.

Evans raises an excellent question in his Commentary, "If the Christian has the resurrection power of Jesus to overcome sin, why is it so hard to do so?" Morticians will confirm that sometimes cadavers lying on their table will do some odd things – muscles will twitch, or legs or arms will move, but the mortician stated that does not bother him because he knows that "dead is dead!" Paul’s reference that the "old self was crucified with Christ," simply means, that as we identify with Christ’s crucifixion, resurrection and glorification, we are "declaring that our nature to practice sin has come under the power of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ" and that He will give us the ability and authority to overcome each desire, tendency or weakness to submit to a lifestyle of sin and disobedience.

Macdonald states the theological concept is that the desire or tendency to continue sinning has been "annulled or rendered inoperative as a controlling force." Yes, we may faulter from time to time, but we will NOT be under the controlling power or influence of the Satanic kingdom. Once we realize our weakness or failure we will rush back to Jesus in prayer and confession seeking his forgiveness and renewal of our ability to overcome by the power of Christ’s death, blood, and his Word. It is His power and Word working in us that enables us to live above sin or to deal with it, even if we faulter. Our lifestyle of victory rests in the Risen and Victorious Christ – not in our abilities or human powers! Thanks be to God for His victorious grace that sustains our lives and relationship with Him.

1st Corinthians 6:12, NIV. Everything is permissible [lawful] for me – but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible [lawful] for me – but I will not be mastered by anything.

The Apostle Paul gives us three particular instructions in this verse. First, he informs us twice that "everything is permissible or lawful." This is a very broad statement that one might take issue with. There are numerous things in life that would be both illegal and unlawful and for that reason would not be permissible. There are in our laws numerous actions that are declared as illegal and would possibly create legal actions for the perpetrator, such as, speeding when driving, stealing, or injuring another person. Thus, we must conclude that all things are not permissible. As Paul says, "But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code" (Romans 7:6).

Secondly, the second phrase would also be a true statement: "not everything in life is beneficial." As mentioned, illegal actions are not beneficial to our lives or the lives of others. The laws of government are put in place to make our lives better in relationship to one another. The goal is to provide fairness and cooperation within our communities. "To do unto others as you would have them do unto you." (Luke 6:31) Similarly, even an action that is beneficial can become harmful if it is overdone or taken to the extreme. "Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand." (Philippians 4:5)

And lastly, the phrase, "but I will not be mastered by anything" is a more difficult challenge but is also possible. All of us deal with weakness or challenges in our lives and hope and pray we never become susceptible to any situation that might overtake us, control, or enslave us. The challenges are often in the form of temptations. Initially they may small temptations, such as lack of moderation in daily tasks, over-working, neglecting family, lust, money. If the temptations are not dealt with in the early stage, they will become sins that control our lives. They enslave us to the temptation and take away our free lives in Christ.

Trinity United Church of Christ traces its roots to the early German immigrants seeking religious freedom who settled near the Monocacy River in the 1700’s. Trinity Reformed Church was dedicated in 1880 at 101 East Main Street in Thurmont. In 1901, the building was expanded to include the present-day sanctuary.

In 1957, the United Church of Christ was formed and Trinity became part of this union as one of the local congregations. Each member brings talents and strength to the congregation. We know our need to be nourished by scripture and spiritual growth. We are an open, welcoming church.

Visit us online at www.trinityuccthurmont.org and join us Sunday mornings at 10:15 am.

John 17:21 - "that they may all be one"