I Samuel 14:21 “Now the Hebrews who were with the Philistines previously, who went up with them all around in the camp, even they also turned to be with the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan.”
When the Lord is involved, there is freedom. These Hebrews who were with the Philistines were slaves. The great disruption that the Lord brought, allowed them to be freed. 2 Corinthians 3:17 says, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” This is a byproduct of His presence. Much like where there is summer, there is warmth.
When we come to Christ, He frees us. Chains break, fears subside, depressions lifts, addictions lessen, joy increases, and so on. These are God’s traits; they accompany Him. I recall in Narnia when Aslan rises, Spring comes. The permanent winter thaws. It goes from frozen white and turns to green growth with all the colors of spring. When Christ comes into one’s heart, new life begins.
This process is called sanctification. I Thessalonians 4:3 says, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality”. This verse speaks of the partnership we have with God. He does the majority of the work, but we also comply.
We are to put aside the things the bible says to avoid. This verse talks of sexual immorality. We aren’t to receive our guidance from the world. They shame those that seek abstinence until marriage. Movies are filled with that content. To follow the world takes us on a path away from the Lord. The greater the departure from Him, the further we go into darkness. Our joy subsides, depressions grip tightens, addictions take hold and so on.
All that is good is from God. There is much goodness in this life, even for the one who doesn’t follow Christ. That’s because He is still immersed in this life. Many follow judaeo christian influences even though they don’t believe. Our system of government and justice is based on the bible. So, many unbelievers are blessed because much of their lives follow these principles.
Much of the misery of hell is the absence of God. Joy, happiness, love, creativity, compassion is all from Him. All of the gifts and talents that we have that we enjoy are from Him. Galatians 5:19-21 describe behavior without God, “Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
The influence of the paints the dark backdrop in which the wonder of God is contrasted. The coldness of the land of winter verses God’s spring. As we grow closer to Him, springtime fills our lives. Our impact, as christians, is to have the same influence on others. 2 Corinthians 2:15 says, “For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” God’s power and presence is flowing through us. This spills over to those around us. We are the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13). The Lord uses us to add flavor to those around us. Freedom is part of that.
Lord, thank You for the great freedom that You give us. As Your Spirit fills our lives, let it bless those around us. Help us to comply with Your work in us. Help us to avoid dark things, but to grow in sanctification.