God is always at work. Join Him.
The statement that 'freedom is maintained’ is a powerful expression of what needs to take place after we come to Jesus. When we surrender our lives, confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord, and believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead; the book of Romans 8:9 makes clear that our spirit is on a sure foundation. Nothing separates us from that love of God. Yet, the process we walk in after salvation, called sanctification, the growing and changing to look like, act like, speak like, respond to suffering like, love our enemies like, and forgive like Jesus, well that takes some good, deep work. Philippians 2 reminds us that sanctification is a transformation collaboration. As I become aware of the areas of my life that do not look like Jesus, and as the Spirit reveals the areas that need kingdom growth (and rest assured, He will), it is God’s good pleasure to empower and work IN us while we work our salvation OUT. The word ‘in’ here in Philippians 2:12 is ‘energy.’ God is putting His empowering, energizing Spirit in you to bring about a desired end. And I am convinced that God’s transformative action can not be frustrated or remain half-finished in a person who humbly and desperately seeks this freedom. Even people who have had a lifetime of pain, suffering and abuse, addiction and trauma, Jesus transforms those areas of our lives to reflect Him. Can God instantaneously deliver? YES! But be patient, we are still in the process. Dr. Neil Anderson said, “It is exciting to experience salvation, then freedom in Christ, but what you have gained must be maintained. You have won an important battle, but the war goes on. To maintain freedom in Christ, one must continue to renew the mind according to the truth of God’s word.”
I invite you to Care Ministries' eight-week course called “Keys to Freedom.” I am so very grateful to Pastor Lynette Buetel and her team, for joining with Mercy Canada to bring this course to CLA. It starts this Wednesday, January 22, and there’s still time to register here. This course is for everyone at CLA who needs to come alive and awakened again to what God offers us, to grow, change, and walk free.
I had the opportunity to lead a table at the inaugural session in the fall. Topics such as connecting with Christ, healing hurts, choosing to forgive, breaking generational patterns, having authority in Christ and maintaining one’s freedom serve as powerful reminders of our freedom to grow into and maintain as Jesus' followers. There are blessings that God wants us to experience in 2025. Sign up now and walk in freedom.
