Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 1 Peter 2:16
I got a reminder of this kind of freedom last night. The Gracetones ministered to the Celebrate Recovery group at Open Door Baptist Church last night. The evening was dedicated to the Lord and to the ministry that Stan Gatton has had for many years. And people in recovery know how to party! We sang worship songs, and the people sang along. We sang our own sanctified rock and roll tunes and they rejoiced and danced in the aisles. They worshiped in about any way imagineable, and it occured to me that this is what freedom from sin is looking like for these folks. And they focused on the God of deliverance and salvation. Some of them might struggle all week with the chains of addiction, but for at least an evening they focused on true joy in Christ.
I was reminded that Jesus Himself said that the one who loves the most is the one who has been forgiven of the most. And my heart melted a little. I am in recovery myself. I am a recovering legalist and judgmental practitioner of works-righteousness. Being a recovering Pharisee, it is a lot for me to rejoice with this kind of celebration. But I need more of this kind of joy in my life. I wish more counseling situations ended in this kind of joy!
We tend to cover-up our sins. But admitting our inability to do what is right, and responding with simple obedience to the gospel, we find freedom beyond what is evil that may control us. And we live as servants of God. I want to be known as a man who is free. I want that kind of freedom to mark my life. I want to run in the circles of people who aren't afraid to really live in the freedom that Christ gives.
I sincerely believe that heaven's worship is celebratory. It exalts God. He is great. And I plan on dancing to that groove throughout eternity! May I do more of it here and now.
Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 1 Peter 2:16
I got a reminder of this kind of freedom last night. The Gracetones ministered to the Celebrate Recovery group at Open Door Baptist Church last night. The evening was dedicated to the Lord and to the ministry that Stan Gatton has had for many years. And people in recovery know how to party! We sang worship songs, and the people sang along. We sang our own sanctified rock and roll tunes and they rejoiced and danced in the aisles. They worshiped in about any way imagineable, and it occured to me that this is what freedom from sin is looking like for these folks. And they focused on the God of deliverance and salvation. Some of them might struggle all week with the chains of addiction, but for at least an evening they focused on true joy in Christ.
I was reminded that Jesus Himself said that the one who loves the most is the one who has been forgiven of the most. And my heart melted a little. I am in recovery myself. I am a recovering legalist and judgmental practitioner of works-righteousness. Being a recovering Pharisee, it is a lot for me to rejoice with this kind of celebration. But I need more of this kind of joy in my life. I wish more counseling situations ended in this kind of joy!
We tend to cover-up our sins. But admitting our inability to do what is right, and responding with simple obedience to the gospel, we find freedom beyond what is evil that may control us. And we live as servants of God. I want to be known as a man who is free. I want that kind of freedom to mark my life. I want to run in the circles of people who aren't afraid to really live in the freedom that Christ gives.
I sincerely believe that heaven's worship is celebratory. It exalts God. He is great. And I plan on dancing to that groove throughout eternity! May I do more of it here and now.
