Pursuing Passionate Freedom in 647 words
We know that Christianity brings a beautiful freedom.
Galatians 5:1 & 13 – It was for freedom that Christ set us free. Therefore, stand firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. 13 For you were called to freedom, brothers; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
In 1 Corinthians 8, Paul shows us that freedom exists in a balance between two errors: legalism on one side, and license on the other.
In the middle is Passionate freedom.
Paul gives us an example to pursue in three distinct passions:
1. Passion for People
John 13:35 – By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.
1 John 3:10 – By this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifested: everyone who does not do righteousness is not of God, as well as the one who does not love his brother.
For Paul, that passionate love for people was seen in his pastoral care. For the rest of us, it’s seen in our “one another” caring for each other. We love others because He loved us. If we don’t love our brothers and sisters in Christ, we demonstrate that we don’t know Christ.
2. Passion for Evangelism
What is the Gospel in seven words?
Glorious God. Sinful Man. Christ Provides Salvation.
Make it your goal to know the gospel well enough that you can share it in 10 seconds, 10 minutes, or an hour depending on how much time you have.
Use the Church App Cheat Sheet, the Gospel page on our website, and other resources.
3. Passion for Purity
(Spiritual Growth, Sanctification)
Donald Whitney’s book, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life is probably the most practically helpful book I’ve ever read on pursuing sanctification. Get the book & read it. Several times.
Better yet, ask someone to walk through together. Read a chapter, get together to discuss it, and hold one another accountable.
The 10 Areas of Disciplined pursuit are:
Bible Intake - Saturating yourself in Scripture
Hear the Word - Engage in the sermon every week.
Read the Word - Read as often and as much as you can.
Study the Word - What does the passage mean?
Memorize the Word - plant God’s Word in your heart.
Meditate on the Word - The final step.
Prayer - We hear from God through His Word. We speak back to Him in prayer.
Worship - Worship is primarily something that happens when the church gathers, but it’s also more than that. It’s how we live our lives.
Evangelism - If you know enough of the gospel in order to be saved, then you know enough to begin sharing that message with others. But you still need to know more
Serving - You were given a spiritual gift in order to serve the Body. There is great joy in serving others that you’ll never experience until you just do it.
Stewardship - Faithfully use the resources God has placed in your care in a way that truly honors Him.
Fasting - Setting something aside for the purpose of growth, usually food.
Silence & Solitude - Life never slows down on its own. You have to be intentional. You NEED time alone and in the quiet to consider God, read His Word, pray to Him, and more.
Journaling - Keeping a record of your spiritual journey is a great thing. Writing it down forces you to fully process your thoughts and helps in the pursuit of goals.
Learning - Never stop learning. Never stop growing. Always seek to grow in knowledge.
As you pursue these three things, it's part of following 2 Peter 1:5-11 and the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.
I love you all and pray for you regularly!!
Grace & Peace
Pastor Rob