Freedom in Christ

0:00Here's today's in-touch devotion. Today's scripture reading is Colossians chapter 3 verses 5 through 10. Therefore, consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, and in them you also once walked when you were living in them. But now you also put them all aside. Anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who was being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the one who created him. We all sin, but the heavenly Father is faithful to restore fellowship with His beloved children.

1:06He does this by breaking down walls that were built up through our disobedience. The first step toward that restoration is our honest confession. In other words, instead of remaining and denial about the sin that has a hold on us, we name it. Otherwise, denial blocks the healing and freedom God offers. But sin rarely exists to an vacuum. The reasons behind wrong behavior are often deeply emotional. Feelings like insecurity, inadequacy, or a lack of self-worth can drive us to search for ways to satisfy or escape the pain. What results is often some form of unhealthy behavior that compounds the struggle. One cares about every dimension of that struggle, spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical. Confession opens the door to His healing work and He meets us through every means of grace available, including His Word, His people, and the wisdom He gives to those who help us heal.

2:10As Paul reminds us, it was for freedom that Christ set us free. Therefore, keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. That freedom is real and it will touch every part of our life.