PRAYING AT ALL TIMES

"Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints."  

Ephesians 6:18

I am so grateful for the recent help that God has offered me in answer to my prayers and the prayers of many others.  This year has been fraught with numberless trials and terrifying moments, but the strength of God has been there for us and continues to bring us life and hope and peace.  Let me reshare this previous study on the power of prayer and the need to pray at all times.

We live out our lives in the presence of an infinitely powerful God who offers to help us in our frailties and failures, and we don’t even pause briefly to ask His help. I needed this fresh consideration of prayer. I hope I can encourage us all to pray at all times and not faint. 

Prayer is very dear to my heart because, through it, God has brought me to safety, preserved me, delivered me, and protected me.  Through prayer, He has given me strength, endurance, and long-suffering during the darkest, emptiest, and most desperate moments of my life.  I must also add the faithless and hopeless moments in my life countless times.  It is then that prayer has rescued me and brought me back to my Father, His Son, and His kingdom from the clouds of doubt, despair, and sorrow.  

Through prayer, God began to rescue me even before I found the Lord's church.  God heard my prayers and came to my rescue.  He delivered me!  I began praying in my own way to find the Truth, the only Truth that would set me free from sin and all the confusion of religious error.   I prayed and prayed and prayed to find that Truth!  By the Grace of God, He sent someone to teach me the good news, the Gospel. When I heard it, I received it with a merry heart and was baptized the same day for the remission of my sins.  What a joy to be white as snow and be welcomed into the Kingdom of my Lord Jesus Christ! 

At the beginning of my walk with the Lord, prayer rescued me and brought me back to my faith, even when Satan tried to discourage me. He tried to force me to abandon my faith.  Because of prayer, my faith grew stronger each time.  Prayer has been my weapon for survival.  God protects us from the evil one through the power of prayer.  Every battle we face as Christians is waged in prayer!  Prayer is part of the actual battle or fight.

My prayer is that I may be able to encourage each one of us to become people, who although small in many ways, yet offering big prayers.  Praying with excellence.  Praying with persistence.  Praying with faith.  We need to follow Jesus' example, which is wrapped in constant prayer (1 Cor. 11:1; 1 John 2:6; 1 Peter 2:21-22).

I.   THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER IN OUR DAILY WALK:  

• Responsibility to Pray:

• Commandments:

There is no subject more important in the Bible than prayer.  Yet, too many ignore and neglect it, becoming indifferent to prayer.  Prayer is both a privilege and a command from God.  We seem to ignore the Lord's command and our responsibility to pray.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God”  (Phil. 4:6).

“Brethren, pray for us”  (1 Thess. 5:25).

“With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints”  (Eph. 6:18).

“Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving”  (Col. 4:2).

“Pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”  (1 Thess. 5:17-18).

“Rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer”  (Romans 12:12).

“First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior”  (1 Tim. 2:1-3).

You see, our Lord has given us responsibilities, and prayer is one of them.  In James 5:13, he highlights those duties both in good and bad times.  The problem is that many of us are not dependable, lacking in faith.  Why do I say that?  Because we allow God out of our box only when we need Him.  Sadly, He becomes our “emergency button” when adversity strikes.  We have no problem of falling to our knees, but only in times of distress or need.  We neglect to praise our God and give Him thanks for all the great, awesome things He has given us and done in our lives. This ought not to be! We must change our perspective.  Often, we cease to pray when things overtake us. And in doing this, we miss out on the Lord's blessings of comfort as He stands and aids us even while we endure hardship.

• The Parable of the Persistent Widow:

"Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart, 2 saying, 'In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man. 3 There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, 'Give me legal protection from my opponent.’ 4 For a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.’ 6 And the Lord said, 'Hear what the unrighteous judge said; 7 now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night,and will He delay long over them? 8 I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?'" (Luke 18:1-8)

In this parable, we are first introduced to “a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man.” The Law of Moses demanded that there be judges to administer impartial justice in every city (Exo. 18:21; Deut. 16:18).  Obviously, this man was not qualified to be a judge at all!  He had no reverence for God and no respect for mankind.  He was very unrighteous (Luke 18:4).  He was an enemy of God!

Next, we are introduced to the widow who is begging saying, “Give me legal protection from my opponent.”  This widow knew well this was the proper thing to do since she had no other options (Deut. 27:19).  And since this wicked judge did not seek justice for the poor woman at first, and she was unable to offer a bribe, she was without any influence.  Thus, she had little hope from this wicked judge.

And since the widow kept coming for justice, the judge agreed to avenge her lest she wear him out. This judge did not, in any way, care about justice.  He wanted to stop her from bothering him and get rid of this bothersome widow.  

So what is the purpose of the parable?  The judge symbolizes what God is not, and the widow represents us. Widowhood is symbolic of defenselessness.  Without God, mankind is defenseless and without hope. Those who have obeyed the Gospel of Christ are God's “elect” who need to rely on God for justice (Rom. 12:19).  It is a mistake to think that God would want to be symbolized as a wicked judge. This parable is an argument to contrast a wicked judge (who eventually rendered justice because one is persistently coming); and a righteous and loving God who avenges His children who cry out to Him for help persistently coming to Him as this poor widow!!  This is too beautiful for words!!

This parable encourages us to pray always without losing heart.  It implies that some may get tired of praying.  Perhaps, this is so because of circumstances and the failure to receive desired answers.  It should not stop us from praying without ceasing during both good and bad times (1 Thess. 5:17; Rom. 12:2).  Our prayers are an indicator of our faith.  

And though our God is always there for us, that does not necessarily mean that He is going to answer us even when we kick His door with persistence.  Thus, we shall call upon Him for deliverance with confidence (1 Peter 3:12; 1 John 3:22).  We must understand that God does not always answer us the way we want, expect, or in the time frame we desire.  But we have the assurance that He will do what is best to aid us.

“And will He delay long over them?”  Indeed, this is a crucial point in this parable.  Why?  Because from our earthly perspective, it often seems that God does not hear our cries for justice.  It seems as if they are falling on deaf ears.  We must understand that just as God is patient with all of our flaws, shortcomings, and failures, He also is bearing with our adversaries.  He may delay executing justice, vengeance upon our adversaries because He is all longsuffering, not wanting anyone to perish (2 Peter 3:9).  What a merciful and loving God we serve!!  You see, our God gives the wicked a second chance; enough time to repent so that he may be saved.  In doing this, the righteous often lose heart when tried.  We start thinking that God does not care or has just forgotten us (Gal. 6:9; Matt. 24:12-13).

And though we serve a God who is longsuffering, He will not delay avenging us, the righteous, forever (Rev. 6:10).  Remember always that when He decides to deliver justice, He will do it “speedily;”  in a quick manner.  We must learn to trust our righteous Judge.  He will bring swift destruction on those who practice lawlessness and refuse to obey the Gospel of His Son at His second coming.  That same God who destroyed the whole world with a flood.  The same God who destroyed the city of Sodom.  May we learn to be patient in prayer until He returns.

• We Communicate With God Through Prayer:  

• To Offer Praises of Thanksgiving:  

If we are indeed grateful to God, we must tell it to God through prayer.

“15 Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. 16 And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased”  (Heb. 13:15-16).

• For Our Anxious and Troubled Heart:

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”  (Phil. 4:6)

Prayer is the remedy for anxiety since we can talk to the only One who cares, our God.

• During our Seasons of Distress and Grief:

The song "Sweet Hour of Prayer" is a call to take time to pray.  Taking time to pray is not something that we can take for granted.  We cannot afford to give it up.  Why?  Because this world is filled with the cares that constantly besiege us. Prayer helps us to cast all of our cares on God, for He cares for us (I Peter 5:7).  God cares about all of our heavy burdens.  He will sustain us through His Word and prayer.  

What a privilege we have to approach God's throne in prayer, making known all of our wants and wishes to Him!  (Matt. 6:9; 1 Peter 1:17).  We can freely go to Him in prayer for anything! (of course, it must be according to His will, James 4:2-3; 1 John 5:14-15).  

1. Prayer helps our souls find relief from our seasons of distress and grief. 
2. It calms our troubled hearts and helps us face whatever adversity may come our way (James 5:13). 
3. It rescues us when we are tempted to sin.  I can assure you that when you are facing temptation and spiritual danger, praying fervently will make it easier to resist.  

Our prayers ascend to heaven through our Lord and Savior (John 14:13-14).  He is our Mediator (Ephesians 2:18; Heb. 4:25; Heb. 7:25).  But our prayers must be asked in faith (James 1:5-8).  So why not cast all of our cares, letting our God know about each one?  Why not rely on Him without giving up on prayer?  Remember, God's timing is not like ours (Luke 18:7-8).  Prayer gives us so much comfort!  (Phil 4:7; Heb. 13:5-6). So pray, pray as long as you are alive on this earth.  "Pray without ceasing"  (1 Thess. 5:17).  We must pray as long as there is breath in us.  There will be a day soon when we no longer cherish the sweetness of our prayers.  In place of prayer, we will meet with our Creator face to face.  What a day that will be!!  This ought to comfort us and give us hope.

• Christians Have Access to God's Throne:  

What a privilege it is to have access to God's throne in heaven! Through His beloved Son, we receive mercy and find grace in time of need (Heb. 4:16).

In James 5:13-18, we find great confidence in the power there is in prayer:

“13 Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; 15 and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. 18 Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.”

James highlights an excellent point. Prayer must be vital in our walk with God (James 5:14-15).  

1. We must pray for ourselves and others (our brethren, the lost). 
2. Pray for those who are sick physically and spiritually. 
3. Pray for forgiveness of sins committed. 
4. Pray for spiritual strength. 
5. Pray for encouragement to lift up those who need it.  

There are so many things that we need to pray for.  Prayer is the only (and most effective) way of communication with our Father.  Indeed, Satan will stop at nothing to keep us off our knees, to keep us from lifting our petitions toward our Father in heaven.

Another point that James draws our attention to is found in James 5:16.  

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”  

Do we do this as Christians?  We should!  We all need faithful Christians to whom we may confess our sins in confidence, and thus to have them pray for us.  

Why do we need to confess our sins to each other?  

1. To be forgiven and be healed spiritually.  
2. To be better equipped to pray properly for each other's weaknesses.  

Of course, when we sin against someone, we must repent and confess that sin to the one that we have wronged and to God (1 John 1:7-9).  In failing to do so, we are running the risk of not being forgiven by our Father in heaven.  Does confessing our sins to one another require that we do it publicly in the church? I don't think it is wise.  If someone has sinned against a brother in Christ and is seeking repentance, he should confess his sin to the one offended and to the Lord to be restored. There is no need to confess such sin publicly.  The matter has been resolved among three parties:  God, the one who sinned, and the offended one.  But if the one who sinned refuses to repent, then according to Matt. 18:15-18, other Christians must be involved in the effort to save his soul.  When one sins, and it is known publicly, then the right thing to do is to confess such sin publicly to save and restore the one who sinned.

James 5:16 ends by saying, 

“The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”  

Do you believe in the power of a righteous man's prayer?  You should!  To pray fervently means to petition God repeatedly, pleading before Him.  Begging Him for help!  Do we all do this in our prayers?  We must!

This passage highlights the importance and power of prayer.  Prayer must be active and fervent.  

James goes on to say in verses 17-18,

 “17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. 18 Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.”

So what do you think was the source of Elijah's power?  Prayer!  Elijah prayed fervently, and it did not rain.  His prayers involved daily living.  He looked upward toward God's throne and nothing or no one else.  God listened to Elijah.  God will listen to us if we are walking with Him in righteousness.  God also heard Hannah when she prayed for a son (1 Samuel 1:11).  And God blessed her with a son, Samuel, and other children.  Hezekiah also prayed to God to live.  God answered and added another 15 years to his life (Isaiah 38:2-5).  Yes!  God answers the prayers of every faithful Christian.  We must trust God's answer, whether we like it or not.  Therefore, cease not to pray.  If the answer delays, wait.  God will come in His perfect timing.  And He can never come too late!! 

Thus, we can be assured that God will hear us also if we are righteous and pray without ceasing, according to His will, and without doubting.

As Christians, we find so much comfort for our trials through prayer.  So we ought to pray for one another, confessing our faults to one another.  The fervent prayers of the one who keeps God's commandments are powerful!

• Prayer Helps us in Our Relationship With Our Brethren:  

• Prayer Builds Closeness and Unity:

“42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”  (Acts 2:42)

Imagine what would happen if we all prayed together as a church for a whole hour or more? Imagine what would happen if each one of us was continually devoted to prayer?  Imagine if each one of us prayed daily to restore the one who is spiritually weak or has fallen into sin?  That means you and me, we, every member of the congregation praying.  

Paul kept close to Philemon by continued prayer even though he was far away.

“because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints; 6 and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake. 7 For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.” (Philemon 5-7)

Likewise, Paul's love for the Corinthian brethren was able to remain stronger and steady because of his prayers.

“The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. 24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.”  (1 Cor. 16:23-24)

• We Share Each Other's Burdens Through Prayer:

We need to pray for our brethren when they are distressed with many heavy burdens and dangers.

Take, for example:  

1. When Paul and Barnabas were in jail, they prayed and sang together, Acts 16:24-25.  And so should we when in distress. 
2. When facing dangers, traveling back to Jerusalem with the returning exiles, Ezra proclaimed a time of prayer and fasting, Ezra 8:21-23.
3. When Judah prayed as a nation for deliverance, 2 Chron. 20:14.
4. When Esther risked her life to save her people, she called on everyone to join her in prayers, Esther 4:14-17.
5. When the Sanhedrin Council was threatening Peter and John, their first response was to join the other apostles in prayer, Acts 4:23-31.
6. When Peter was in prison, many saints gathered to pray for him, Acts 12:2.

• Prayer Is Both a Group Activity And a Private Individual Activity:

Everyone must be praying together in the family of God.  Each and everyone participating in the prayers of the church, "Now I appeal to you, brothers, through our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of the Spirit, to join with me in fervent prayers to God on my behalf" (Romans 15:30-32; 2 Cor. 1:8-11).  Likewise, we must trust in our God to hear us even if we are praying alone (1 Kings 8:38-39).

II.   ASK, SEEK, KNOCK:

Jesus in His famous Sermon on the Mount stated, 

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?  11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!”  (Matt. 7:7-11).

Our Lord is teaching us something on the subject of prayer.  To ask is to make a request with our own voice.  To seek is to pursue someone or something.  To knock is to make an effort to open and get through an obstacle.  All these three verbs are unending in the Greek (present tense continuous action).  That is, one must continue to ask, seek, and knock.  They all communicate the same idea effectively.  

When one prays to the Father in heaven, he must do it sincerely and not vainly.  Prayer is not to be an empty ritual.  We must faithfully “knock” and “seek” to pray correctly rather than to “ask” for blessings.  Prayer is not just an open door to ask whatever requests we want to make.  These are not requests for things one is unwilling to undertake or that he is too lazy to pray for sincerely.

God is pleased with prayers that are offered from a sincere and zealous heart.  When there is little heart or devotion in our prayers, we cannot expect God to answer our prayers with much heart either. We must continue to ask, seek, and knock according to God's will.  It is only then that He can bless us.  It is His promise to us.  And He will faithfully keep His Word!  The Bible is full of instructions on the mechanics of how, when, and for what we ought to pray (Matt. 6:1-13; 6:14-15; Mark 1:35-37; Ps. 5:3; Mark 14:22-24; Acts 27:35; Acts 16:25; Acts 12:5,12; 1 Thess. 5:17; Luke 18:1-8; Mark 14:35-36; Matt. 26:39;  Matt. 26:53-56; 1 Tim. 2:1-3; Col. 3:17; Heb. 7:25; 1 John 5:14-16; James 1:6-7; 4:3; 1 Peter 3:7; 1 John 3:22; 5:14).

In Matthew 7:9-10, Jesus speaks of “bread” and “fish.”  He is comparing earthly parents (who are “evil”) with God Almighty, who is perfectly good and righteous in every way.  God's love for us is greater than even the love of our earthly parents.  Although we may offer petitions before His throne and such are not answered as we want them to be, we must remember that God knows what's best for us and that He has our best interests in mind regardless of how He answers us. Our God gives us good and perfect gifts! James 1:17.

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.”  (Eph. 3:20-21)

So, our prayers must be addressed to God, acknowledging Who He is.  They must be offered in reverence and not in vain.  God knows our requests, so ask simply.  They must be offered with praise and thanksgiving and, in the name of Jesus, our mediator with the Father.

III.   HOW TO PRAY AND HOW NOT TO PRAY:

In the New Testament, many passages stress the importance and the need for prayer in the life of all Christians.  However, in Matthew 6:5-8, Jesus addresses prayer in more depth; giving us practical counsel on how we ought to pray and how not to pray.  Consider those basic principles Jesus set for us.

“5 And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.  7 And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”  

Jesus, our Lord, expects His disciples to pray.  We see this clearly emphasized when He used the word “when ” not “if.”  He said, 

“When you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites” (Verse 5).  Jesus stresses the need to be sincere in prayer.  Those who pray and want their charitable deeds to be seen of men have no reward from our heavenly Father.  They are hypocrites or pretenders who merely want to exercise their “religiousness” in the most obvious way to receive the praise of others.  Such persons are full of pride and vanity and are lovers of themselves.  They do not please the Lord (Luke 18:10-14; Matt. 23); James 4:6; 2 Tim. 3:2ff).

“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret”  (Verse 6).  

Here Jesus is stressing the benefit of solitude in prayer.  When one prays privately, he develops sincerity in prayer.  There are fewer distractions and disturbances in the closet.  One can easily control what surrounds him when he is isolated from others and all distractions.  The focus of our prayer must be that of seeking after God.  One can seek Him out effectively when he is in solitude since there is no temptation to pray to be seen of men.  God is a rewarder of those who seek Him in prayer with the proper attitude of heart and spirit.  He will grant their requests if they're according to His will (1 John 5:14-15).

With this in mind, let us not conclude that Jesus prohibits public prayer.  In the New Testament, Christians are authorized to engage in public prayer (Acts 2:42; 1 Tim. 2:8; James 5:16).  Even though Christ seemed to pray more often when He was alone  (Matt. 14:23; 26;36ff; Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16; 6:12; 9:18).

“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases”  (Verse 7).

Our Lord emphasizes the need for simplicity in prayer.  “Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few”  (Ecc. 5:2).  He desires that we avoid using empty, careless, lifeless phrases. The pagans were guilty of this (1 Kings 18:26; Acts 19:34).  Jesus doesn't condemn repetition in prayer but vain repetitions.  A prayer can be repetitive and still be meaningful or substantial.  “So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again” (Matt. 26:44).

The same principle is applied to offering thanks for food in that it can turn into vain repetitions.  But when one offers thanksgiving with a grateful heart to God, the One who gives all things, then it is not vain repetition.  

The beauty of our Lord’s model prayer is its simplicity.  It is composed of only 60 words in Greek. When one follows Christ’s example of prayer, public prayer becomes shorter, and our private prayers become longer.  

“Your Father knows what you need before you ask him”  (Verse 8).

When one has God as his Father, he has the security (anchor) of knowing that his prayers will be heard.  Thus, vain repetition is useless.  As a matter of fact,  one’s petitions are known even before he utters the first petition.  Isn’t it amazing!  And some wonder why it is so necessary to pray?!  Our God is not ignorant of our needs, nor is He reluctant in any way to be persuaded.  Our Father imparts His gifts as a response to our eagerness (desire) to receive them (Luke 11:5-13; James 4:2).  And even if this were not true, we are to pray simply because He commands us to do so.  

In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, we are commanded to “pray without ceasing.”  That is, God expects us, His children, to have a disposition (frame of mind) to always seek Him, to have a harmonizing relationship with Him.  “Praying without ceasing” is what we must always do (in every day’s decisions, and in every compartment of our life) with a mindset so that we may do His will and respect His Lordship.  It also is our way of communicating with Him privately and closely (informally) throughout our daily walk (praises, thanksgivings, confessing one’s sins, shortcomings, and to express our petitions).  These prayers should be brief and offered tirelessly or frequently in our daily life.  Don’t get me wrong. I’m not recommending that our prayers be brief and with hidden thoughts.  On the contrary, I think it is wise to offer in-depth prayers at various times of the day. Notice the excellent example of Daniel (Dan. 6:10).

So when one approaches God’s throne through prayer, he must do it with confidence, not doubting (Heb. 4:6).  Even if one feels incapable of expressing himself completely before God, he has the assurance that God knows his heart (Rom. 8:26-27).

Our prayers must be offered with patience and persistence (Luke 18:1-8).  Remember that our Father is “is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.”  (Eph. 3:20)

Furthermore, Jesus presented for the disciples, and for us as well, an example (model) of prayer to consider and learn.  Consider that example:

9 “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.  10 ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.  11 ‘Give us this day our daily bread.  12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.  13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’”  (Matt. 6:9-13)

Notice that every time Jesus our Lord prayed, He always addressed our heavenly Father.  He did it reverently:  “Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.” (cf, Psalm 145:1). The word “hallow” means sacred.  God’s name is holy and sacred. Thus it must be regarded as “holy.”  It is an honor or a privilege to address Him.  His name must not be treated commonly and lightly.  When one is addressing the Father in prayer, he must do it with reverence, in a respectful manner.  One must remember that he is not just speaking to anybody but to the Almighty One, the only true and living God!!  If one honors his earthly father, how much more must he give honor and reverence to our Heavenly Father?!  He is the only one worthy of all praise and honor!!

“10 Your kingdom come"  (Verse 10).  This verse refers to past, present, and future petitions.  We don’t pray any longer for the kingdom to come since this prayer was answered in Acts 2 on the Day of Pentecost.  Indeed, the kingdom of God has already come.  Christ is now reigning as Lord of lords and King of kings in His kingdom (Col. 1:13; 1 Cor. 15:24-25).  He rules in heaven and earth.  He is in control!  In place of praying for the kingdom to come, one should pray for the furthering of the kingdom.  Are we kingdom-minded when we pray?  Or are we our own little kingdom who wants what we want and right now?!  Do our prayers carry this kind of tone sometimes?  Think about it!!

“Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  This is a petition for the present.  It is a prayer for the furthering of the gospel as well as obedience to Jesus’ rule.  We must pray that God’s will be done everywhere, at all times, and by everyone.  To offer such a prayer, one must submit to the will of God and all His counsel.  This is true also when we are teaching God’s will to others, that they might be encouraged to submit to Him only.

“Give us this day our daily bread"  (Verse 11).  This petition or prayer is not for just milk and honey (symbols of luxury).  Rather, we must ask for enough bread as our daily provision or needs. We want to ask God for just enough to get us through this day.  He wants us to deal with today first. And as long as it is today, one has no need of tomorrow's bread (Ex. 16:12-31).  God, in His loving-kindness, will provide us with all that is necessary for our daily needs.  That is if one is diligently seeking Him and His kingdom of righteousness first (Matt. 6:25-33; cf. Phil. 4:19).  One must acknowledge that there is a big difference between his wants and needs.  Therefore, let us be careful not to allow our prosperity to hinder our thanksgiving for daily needs (Proverbs 30:8-9).

“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors”  (Verse 12).

In this passage, Jesus is using the word “debts” in a spiritual sense.  Our debts are spiritual debts to God (Matt. 18:21-35).  Literally, this is saying:  “God forgive me as I have forgiven other people.”  That must concern us greatly since we are not always the most forgiving people.  Often we carry grudges that impede us from forgiving.  And it must never be the case if we truly want to submit to God's will.  Remember, God will forgive our trespasses if we also forgive men's trespasses (Matt. 6:14-15).  How about you?!

"And do not lead us into temptation"  (Verse 13).

Considering James 1:13, this request may seem a little bit troublesome for some.  Why would one pray that the Father not lead him/her into temptation; since God does not tempt anyone, to begin with?  Well, that phrase can easily be translated as:  “Do not lead us into trials?  Christians face plenty of trials in life from the evil one.  Don't you think we have enough reasons to pray that we might be able to escape severe temptations that Satan might present to us?   We need to pray that God would keep temptation far from us!!  Remember that Jesus Himself made this request of keeping temptation away from Him.

The second half of verse 13 says, “ but deliver us from evil”  or keep us from evil (Luke 22:31-32). This is a prayer that is seldom heard publicly. Often we pray for forgiveness of sins but neglect to pray to be delivered from the evil one; the hindrance of sin; to escape from Satan's stern and severe temptations, he puts in our way to make us stumble.

“For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, Amen” (Verse 13).  

This is the prayer and life that praises God.  

There are parallel accounts of Jesus' model prayer, Matt. 6:1-13, and Luke 11:1-4.  Jesus' disciples asked Him to teach them to pray.  Jesus then uttered a prayer.  The fact that Jesus replied to His disciples’ request implies that we can learn how to pray correctly.  It is not a gift but rather a talent that one can develop and improve.  It is one of those areas where we desperately need to grow.  We must learn to pray with excellence.  In doing this, we will learn greater dependence on God.  By the same token, it will cause us to be more thoughtful and reflective.  So how is your prayer life?  Do you know that our God wants us to be prayerful, sincere, secure people in the prayers we offer to Him?  May we always be mindful of beauty and simplicity when we approach God’s throne and talk to Him.  May we always appreciate the benefits of seclusion.  

IV.   THE ONE WHO PRAYS:

• Must Believe in Prayer:

Without a doubt, faith is the foundation of Christians.  We must have faith that is pleasing to God. We must believe that God rewards His seekers (Heb. 11:6).  Our faith helps us to press on and not fall back (Heb. 10:38-39).  God is attentive to the prayers of His faithful children (Psa. 35:15). He has given us the promise that He will hear the supplications of His righteous ones.  Do you sincerely believe God's promise of listening to us in prayer?

We have been given every assurance, so there is no need to doubt.  The prayer of God's righteous children avails much (James 5:16-18).  God is able to do exceedingly more than we think or ask (Eph. 3:20-21; Matt. 21:20).

• God is Attentive to The Prayers of The Righteous:

The Christian (one who is walking righteously), not the sinner (the willfully disobedient), has the confidence that God hears his prayers.  The ungodly and rebellious should not expect from God an affirmative answer or have the audacity to ask for His blessings.  Sin hinders our prayers (1 Peter 3:7).  Our prayers are affected by sin in our life!  “The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth” (Psalm 34:16).  “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer.  But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil” (1 Peter 3:12).  God is not inclined to grant our supplications if we are defiant children and continue in rebellion against His will.  Though God blesses sinners sometimes as well (Matt. 5:43-45; Acts 14:15-16).  God causes the rain to fall on all, regardless of their faithfulness.  God also hears those who are seeking after Him with a sincere heart.  I was one of them when I was searching for the Truth! Because He heard my pleas, I was able to find Him and His Truth!! (Acts 10:1-4).

It is so tragic when Christians doubt that God will fulfill His promise to hear their prayers.  I hear them say, “I prayed for such and such to happen, but God did not hear my prayer.”  What he actually is saying is that God did not jump immediately to give him what he wanted.  However, to conclude that God does not hear our prayers because He did not answer quickly and positively shows a critical lack of understanding.  Take heed!

The truth is that God hears all prayers, but He does not necessarily answer them all in a way that is noticeable to us immediately.  We must distinguish between God's way of hearing and answering our prayers.  He is aware of each one of our prayers (including those prayers that unbelievers and believers utter).  However, it is not reasonable to think that God must answer according to each petition one makes simply because He hears all prayers.  The Bible does not teach such absurdity!

Mankind is in no position to demand anything from God.  All we can do is to approach Him humbly as beggars with our pleas, requests, and petitions (supplications, Phil. 4:6).  To believe that God is obliged or indebted to us to respond as we wish reflects ignorance and foolishness of heart. Those who think and behave this way are imposing their limitations, inabilities, and all such factors on God.  Why not be aware that God responds to our prayers in many different ways according to His unfathomable wisdom and omniscience? Why not be thankful to God that He is willing to answer our prayers His way?

• God's Responses to Our Prayer:  Problems in Prayers:

Sometimes God answers our prayers with an instantaneous “YES.”  Consider some examples:

• Hannah was not able to conceive but prayed earnestly to bear a son.  God answered with a quick “yes” when He gave her Samuel and other children (1 Sam. 1-2).
• Elijah was a righteous man who prayed earnestly that it would not rain on the land for three years and six months.  He prayed again, and the heavens gave rain (James 5:17-18).  His prayers were answered positively and powerfully.
• We have numerous accounts where God demonstrated His grace and wisdom when responding rapidly and affirmatively to the supplications of His righteous ones (2 Kings 20:1-7; Daniel 2:23; Ezra 8:21-23; Luke 1:13, etc.).

In the past, God used miracles as signs to confirm the words of the prophets.  Today the Word of God is already confirmed or established, and God has no further use for such signs (1 Cor. 13:8ff; Eph. 4:7ff). Nevertheless, God still urges us to pray, making petitions, and asking for His help for a wide variety of purposes. There is power in prayer!  To deny the power of prayer is to deny God’s willingness to intervene in human affairs.  In Acts 17:27-29, Paul answered that question, “for in Him we live and move and exist.” There is nothing wrong with praying to God when someone is sick or a loved one is dying, that God may be with the doctors who are caring for them and that God may heal and strengthen during recovery.  Who am I to say what God will or will not do?  Of course, He will not do that which is against His will.  God certainly can work in His own providential way.  He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think (Eph. 3:20).  He is mindful of His righteous ones and answers prayers according to His will.  Therefore, we must pray with full confidence (assurance) that He will hear our pleas if it is in our best interest.

Sometimes He answers our prayers with an absolute “NO.”  

Such is perhaps the case of the unrighteous or unfaithful ones (Proverbs 28:9).  Such is also the case of His righteous ones whose pleas are not made according to His will.  If our requests are not in agreement with His will, His answer will be a “no.”  Likewise, if our prayers are filled with selfish and impure motives, the answer might be a negative one (James 4:3).

Paul was a righteous man who prayed to have his “thorn in the flesh” removed (2 Cor. 12:8). However, the Lord did not answer positively.  He did not remove the thorn.  Perhaps, the Lord wanted to remind Paul of his weaknesses, lest he be exalted above measure.  God answered Paul according to his spiritual welfare with a “my grace is sufficient for you.”  Today we may encounter the same answer.

Jesus also offered prayers and supplications with loud crying and many tears in Gethsemane.  Indeed, His Father heard Him (Heb. 5:7).  However, the Father did not find it necessary to answer with a “yes” but rather a “no” to our Lord's prayers on this occasion.  Mankind's redemption would have been impossible if He had answered with a “yes.”  Therefore, we must always follow our Lord's selfless example in His time of agonizing prayers.  “39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will”  (Matt. 26:39).  Our God knew very well that there was no other way but the cross.

God alone knows what is best for us.  He knows all the factors that will affect us today and years down the road in giving us what we ask in prayer.  So if God answers our prayers with a “no,” trust Him with a humble, submissive and thankful heart.  Don't be discouraged if it seems that the Lord is giving you a “no” as His answer.  Even His “no” responses are blessings!

Sometimes God answers our prayers with a “wait a while.”

Sometimes we deceive ourselves thinking that God is answering with a “no.”  When He is actually delaying with a positive response, “yes,” to our prayers.  I have learned this well!!  Many times I have to sit still and wait for His answer for a long time!

Take, for instance, the Israelites who cried out to God for deliverance from Egyptian bondage for several generations.  I am sure that many of them thought that God's answer was simply a “no.” However, His reply was, “wait a while.”  It is not time yet.  We must understand God's delay.  It is all in His frame of time.  

Another example of God's delay is seen in Revelation 6:9-11.  John saw the souls of those who have been martyred for their faithfulness to God's Word.  He described their prayers:  

 “They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 11 Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.”

Notice what verse 11 says, “Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer.” You see, God was not refusing to hear their plea.  He simply said that it was not time yet and that they had to wait patiently.

If God does not give us what we ask Him immediately, there is no reason to doubt, even though we might not be able to see it.  God is teaching us patience.  We should not grow weary and lose heart (Luke 18:1; 1 Thess. 5:17). 

Sometimes God answers our prayers by saying “maybe” or “it all depends.”

God sometimes responds with a “maybe,” when the righteous pray and even when he prays according to the will of God.  Let me explain.  God made us with a free will.  It means that He will not force us to do His will in His realm.  Thus, when we pray for things that pertain to the choices of others, God's response will be a “maybe.”  He will not supersede someone else's free will to grant your request.

We have an excellent example of God's unconditional response in Abraham's six intercessory prayers for Sodom (Gen. 18:23ff).  The fate of Sodom was dependent on the morality and choices of their men. Notice that God replied to Abraham repeatedly:  “Yes, but it all depends.”

When we pray for our rulers “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence”  (1 Timothy 2:2), the effect of such prayers rests not only with God but with the choices that the rulers make.  Likewise, when we pray for sinners to come to know the Lord and be saved, it involves more than God's love for them (1 Tim. 2:4), my earnest and frequent prayers, or my devotion to God.  Why?  Because if the sinner does not want to repent and obey the Truth, there is nothing that God can do to grant my request.  God does not and will not force anyone to be saved.  He cannot save the disobedient, Heb. 5:9.  Again, God's response to such a prayer is “it all depends.”

The same applies to any prayer that involves the behavior of others (parents' prayers that their children will remain faithful; prayer for abortion to be abolished, prayer for national and world leaders to rule wisely and so on).

The same is true of those who have forsaken the Lord's Way; those who have shipwrecked their faith; those who are bent on destroying the church.  God can only answer:  “It all depends.”  It is as if God is asking:  Will they repent? Will they submit to my Son's Lordship through His Word?  Will they begin teaching my Truth and refute all error?  If so, then, God's answer is “yes.”  Otherwise, it is a “no.”  God can't answer any prayer with an affirmative “yes” that requires Him to override man's free will.

V.   CONCLUSION:

The study of prayer has always fascinated me.  Prayer is one of the most powerful tools any Christian can possess.  Sadly, it is one of the most overlooked and underused tools God has given us.  All Christians ought to pray and never lose heart.  Prayer has the power to comfort us in our times of trials and distress.

Our prayer life is the barometer of our relationship with God.  We either pray without ceasing or we perish.  We have no other choice.  The early church was a praying church (Acts 2:42; Acts 4:23-31).  For a church to grow spiritually, she must be a praying church without fear.  Prayer is vital in our walk with God.  Jesus, who was God in the flesh, is our excellent example of prayer.  We read numerous times in the gospel accounts of Jesus praying to His Father.  One of those occasions was at His baptism (Luke 3:21); the night before he chose the twelve apostles (Luke 6:12-16); before and after feeding the 5,000 (Mark 6:41, 46); on the mount of transfiguration (Luke 9:28); as He raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:41-42); for Peter before his denial (Luke 24:30); before His betrayal and arrest at Gethsemane (Matt. 26; Mark 14; Luke 22, John 17); on the cross (Mark 15:34); and after His resurrection (Luke 24:30).  So if Jesus, the Son of God, needed to take time to pray alone with His Father, how much more do we need to pray today?! If we indeed want to imitate Christ, we must not overlook the importance and the need for regular prayer in our life.

Jesus prayed at least for two significant reasons:  for strength not to give into the temptation of vanity and for the preaching ministry, He was to embark upon (Mark 1:39).  Jesus taught us that we must keep on praying even when it seems there is no result because prayer does work (Luke 18:1-7).  If we pray in faith and according to His will, we have the assurance that He will hear us.  He is our perfect example of praying in times of trouble and despair.  

The apostle Paul is another great example of prayer.  He often prayed with the elders and with the churches in Ephesus, Colossae, Philippi (Acts 20:36-38; Acts 21:3-5; Eph. 1:15-23; Col. 1:9-18; Phil 1:3-11).  Paul always prayed for the brethren for knowledge, wisdom, understanding, strength, and thanksgiving.  He prayed regularly for them to be faithful, to share the gospel, and that they might increase in love.  And just as Paul prayed for them, he likewise asked the brethren to pray for him.  He also asked the Roman brethren to pray for his safety, the success of the gospel, and for his safe travels (Romans 15:30-32).  Moreover, Paul told the Corinthian brethren to pray for his deliverance from persecution, to accomplish much for the furthering of the gospel, and to give thanks (2 Cor. 1:8-11).  To the Colossians, he asked them to be devoted to prayer, alert and thankful, for the success of the gospel, and that he be bold despite the many difficulties.  So the question is:  Can we not, or should we not pray for the same things with the same earnestness?  What hinders us?

Prayer is also the foundation on which the church needs to be built on.  We need to be Christians who love to pray to their Creator.  We need to become warriors of prayer.  We need to pray for strengthening.

It grieves me to see so many souls, some sincere, who are naive and are struggling because they don't know the Lord and His Truth to guide them to righteousness and holiness.  God gives us power in prayer to do something about it.  And we must pray for them that they may come to the knowledge of the Truth.  The world around us is in desperate need of a Savior.  We Christians are to pray without ceasing as long as we are here.  Prayer is God's weapon to work here on earth.  Just think of how many things do not happen or will not take place because we are not praying for them.  Likewise, we must take the burdens of others to our Lord so that He can intercede on their behalf.  Every day we face powerful storms that come our way; storms that shake us to our core.  But through prayer and God's Word, I can assure you we can be built upon the Rock, standing firm to survive the storms that threaten our faith and hope.

Let's always remember that one of the keys to heaven is prayer and supplication.  I don't see any other way.  Let's always, with sincere hearts, approach the throne of our Heavenly Father in prayer and supplication, asking Him for peace toward those who despise us, asking Him for understanding, wisdom, and real knowledge.  Let us ask Him for sanctification and godliness, to walk in a manner worthy of Him.  Let us pray for mercy so that the Word may be spread to deliver men from the kingdom of darkness.  We must pray to find those souls that are sincere, hungry and thirsty to find the TRUTH.  Let us pray for those who minister in the Gospel.  Let us ask with faith and not doubt, for a good conscience; to be watchful and alert against the adversary; for humility; for the saints; to remove bitterness and wrath, replacing it with kindness and mercy; for correction, reproof, righteousness, hardship, unity, suffering, sickness; for those who have gone astray from the Truth to bring them back to Him; for one another, for our families, our homes, and yes, yes for those who are in authority, our President, so that we may live a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.  This is good and acceptable before God.  Instead of ridiculing, putting down, and many times crossing the line God has placed there, we need to pray for them.  Our Father wants all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the Truth. Let's give thanks to our Lord Jesus, who died for us so that through Him, we all can have redemption.

Let's follow the examples of those mighty men and women who prayed without ceasing to glorify God:  Abraham, Gen. 20:17; Moses, Numbers 11:2; Hannah, I Samuel 1:10; Elisha, 2 Kings 4:33; Hezekiah, 2Kings 19:15; Job 42:10;  Jeremiah 32:16; Daniel 6:10, 9:4 (my favorite one is Daniel); Jonah 2:1.  Let's follow the prayer of our Lord Jesus in John 17:1-26.  

What about your prayer life?  Is it what the Lord expects it to be?  Our Father wants us to be prayerful and sincere children.  He wants us to find security and assurance when we offer our prayers to Him.  For our prayers to be effective, we must have faith (1 John 5:14-15; Mark 11:24).

So, when you feel desperate, clueless, in doubt, in suffering and persecution without hope, get on your knees and pray to the Almighty for safety, protection, wisdom, understanding, and deliverance.

Become acquainted with the Psalms. They take us deeper not only into the revealed Word of God but also into a profound relationship with our Creator, which is vital for every Christian.  They help us to improve our prayers.  They also help us to reach out to God in prayer for guidance and deeper growth in our walk with Him.  The Psalms become friends and companions when we need to find refuge and strength through prayer.   We must learn to love the Psalms.  They strengthen the prayers that we desperately need for the battlefield.  Prayers help us greatly in our spiritual war.  Prayer strengthens us in our weaknesses and in the fears that freeze us sometimes.  They quiet our discontent and complaining and build up our faith.   

I also want to encourage us to make a prayer list or journal as our tool to help us become more disciplined and reflective in our prayer journey.  Begin by writing all of your blessings (both physical and spiritual) and for which you are thankful.  Include another section for the people in your life (those whom you are trying to bring to Christ).  Pray for the Lord's blessings for specific needs you and others have.  Make a list of personal petitions and for God's will to be done in your life.  Write another list of God's attributes that you might praise Him for.  Finally, create a list of the weaknesses, flaws, and failures you are trying to overcome and the sins you need to confess and repent of.  These lists are just a good starting place.  Pray in secret through the entire list and update the list as you go. This will help you see how our Lord is working in your life.  I hope you benefit from my humble suggestions.

May we pray fervently, persistently, and frequently as those who love their God.  May we never abandon prayer because we have grown weary and have lost heart.  May we always approach our God in prayer for thanksgiving, to confess our sins, to make supplication for our needs, and to intercede on behalf of others.  May we always strive to recognize God's awesome nature in our prayers and His will for our lives.  May we always treasure His providence in our lives, which sustains us in our daily walk.  Finally, may we always be mindful of the beauty of simplicity when we talk to Him in prayer.

I want to leave you with the words of this beautiful song to encourage us to pray:  

Did You Think to Pray?

Ere you left your room this morning,

Did you think to pray?

In the name of Christ our Savior,

Did you sue for loving favor,

As a shield today? 

Refrain:

Oh, how praying rests the weary!

Prayer will change the night to day;

So when life seems dark and dreary,

Don’t forget to pray. 

When you met with great temptation,

Did you think to pray?

By His dying love and merit,

Did you claim the Holy Spirit

As your guide and stay? [Refrain]

When your heart was filled with anger,

Did you think to pray?

Did you plead for grace, my brother,

That you might forgive another

Who had crossed your way? [Refrain]

When sore trials came upon you,

Did you think to pray?

When your soul was bowed in sorrow,

Balm of Gilead did you borrow

At the gates of day? [Refrain]

Luci

THE GLORY OF OUR FREEDOM IN CHRIST

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.  But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit."  

2 Corinthians 3:17-18

Men dedicated to murder and mayhem have been detained in Guantanamo prison for nearly fifteen years because many fear that if they are freed, they will return to their old habits. Over the past several months, many have been released with the proviso that they not join the forces of those at war with us. Nevertheless, many have returned to the forces of ISIS. Jesus came to a world imprisoned by the guilt and practice of sin and offered freedom. He still offers us freedom but with the proviso that we not return to the Enemy's service.

We celebrate our Independence Day as a nation each 4th of July.  It is a blessing to experience our special freedoms for two centuries: the freedom of speech, the press, privacy, and the freedom to worship without government interference.  Freedom is a wonderful blessing for anyone.  I cannot imagine life without freedom or that anyone would reject the concept.   However, none of these special freedoms can measure up to our freedom in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  The Lord’s freedom is much more significant, priceless, and eternal for those in Christ.  The price of our freedom is the blood of the Lamb.

When God saw our hopeless condition, He sent His Son to make us alive together with Him since we were dead in our sins. Our Father in Heaven showed us His lovingkindness when He sent His beloved Son to die on the cross for our sins.  It was through His Son's death that He could grant us pardon and freedom.  Our Lord Jesus Christ set us free from the bondage of sin, the yoke of slavery.  Jesus, our Lord, paid an extremely high price.  He laid down His life for you and me.

"13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross."  (Colossians 2:13-14).  

Our souls are so precious and valuable to God that He sacrificed His innocent Son.  I cannot fathom the depth of God's love for the souls of men!! 

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."  (John 3:16). 

"2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world."  (1 John 2:2).

Our Lord Jesus is the sum, the essence, the end, and the support for both the Law of the Old Testament and the Law of Christ under the New Testament.  Paul wrote in Romans 10:4,

"For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes."  

He contrasts the Law of Moses with the new Message of Christ.  It is through Christ that the Spirit of God brought freedom from:

• the darkness of sin;
• the freedom from prejudices and superstitions (as in the case of the Jews);
• freedom from the slavery and bondage of sin; 
• freedom from the fear of death; 
• freedom through the Gospel of Christ through His Grace toward us.  It is through the Gospel that He makes us glorious, transforming us and changing us into His glorious image.  We can be like Christ!

Let us focus on Galatians 5:1,

"It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery."  

and Galatians 5:13-15,

"13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. "  

Both passages speak of our freedom in Christ and the responsibility that comes with it.

I.   "IT WAS FOR FREEDOM THAT CHRIST SET US FREE." 

"It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery."  (Galatians 5:1)

When Paul wrote the letter to the Galatians, there was no freedom for those under the Roman Empire, such as we have today.  In the first century, the most effective form of freedom was the freedom from slavery.  Both men and women who were slaves had no rights or civil liberties.  A slave was to submit to his master(owner), who told him what to do in every circumstance.

In Galatians 5:1, Paul was not talking about a political freedom but rather the freedom from the yoke of the Law of Moses.  He emphasized freedom from religious bondage.  Paul spoke of one being physically a slave while being spiritually free in Christ.

"21 Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) 22 For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. 24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God."  (1 Corinthians 7:21-24).

In the days of Judaism (in the first century), the Jewish brethren wanted to enslave the Gentile brethren by demanding that they be circumcised, offer the right sacrifices, keep the correct holy days, and follow Jewish traditions.  They enslaved their followers, insisting that they follow the traditions and doctrines of men to have an acceptable relationship with God.  Apparently, they ignored that Jesus condemned all such religious oppression.  God gave Jesus to free everyone who obeys Him.  He gave Jesus to free men from the old ways of sin so that he could serve Him.  He gave us freedom and responsibility.

So, how does one obtain freedom in Christ?

In John 8:31-36 Jesus said,

"31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, 'If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.' 33 They answered him, 'We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?'  34 Jesus answered them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.'"

Here Jesus is speaking to those Jews "who had believed Him."  To be a disciple of Jesus, one must obey His Word completely.  Being a true disciple is not just a vocation or doctrine one believes in but an action. It is a life lived in total surrender to His Lordship (Luke 6:46; Matt. 7:21-23).  A true disciple of Christ will refuse to be in bondage to the traditions and doctrines of men (Colossians 2:20-23).  He refuses to be in bondage to anyone except Christ (1 Cor. 7:22-23; 2 Peter 2:19).  He obeys only His Master (Matt. 6:24)

John 8:32 states, 

"32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'"

To know the Truth is to hear, believe and obey it.  The Truth is only useful if one puts it into practice. More than a mental affirmation of the Truth is needed to set one free (James 2:24).  If one fails to apply the Truth to daily living, one risks being lost.  The Truth can give us freedom: freedom from the bondage of sin and guilt, the cares and worries of this life, and finally, freedom from the fear of death.

II.   "THEREFORE KEEP STANDING FIRM."  

"It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery."  (Galatians 5:1)

We have been given other exhortations to stand firm in:

• our faith (1 Cor. 16:13); 
• in our spirit (Phil 1:27);
• in the Lord (Phil. 4:1; 1 Thess. 3:8); 
• stand firm and hold to the traditions taught by the apostles (2 Thess. 2:15; 3:6).

The Galatians were manipulated by Jewish Christians who insisted on imposing the Old Law system on them.  Paul declared that it was impossible for a Christian who was not a Jew to do the things that the Jews did in the past under the Law of Moses.  Sadly, the Galatian brethren were pressured by a crafty Jewish force (Galatians 5:6-12; 12-16; Phil. 3:1-3).

Today, the Lord's church is still being threatened in many forms as it was in the days of the early church:  

• dispensationalism 
• premillennialism 
• sectarianism 
• liberalism
• humanism 
• modernism 
• socialism
• evolution 
• human philosophy
• psychology
• feminism and 
• many other destructive ideologies.  

Satan’s goal is to destroy our faith, especially our vulnerable young people's faith (1 Timothy 6:20-21).  Another major problem the church faces is loyalty to men whose primary goal is to push false doctrines and man-made religions foreign to the Word of God.  They willfully ignore 1 Peter 4:11, which says,

"11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything. God may be glorified through Jesus Christ." 

Division among us is another problem many churches face because everyone seems to be fighting. They are so busy fighting among themselves that they neglect to teach the lost (Galatians 5:15).  This grieves my heart!!!

III.  "AND DO NOT BE SUBJECT AGAIN."  

"It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery."  (Galatians 5:1)

The world's freedom is deceitful.  Why?  Because they deceived themselves into thinking they are free when they are not.  They are entangled in the desires of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life, worldliness, and everything that's against the Word of God (1 John 2:16).  They are enslaved to their sinful living, their riches, worldly success, and weaknesses. This fleshly slavery renders them helpless without any way of escape unless they surrender to the knowledge of God's Truth. They think that this is freedom.  They say, "If you just plan and set enough goals, then you will find freedom."  I will not deny that these accomplishments can bring one a sort of freedom, but it is only earthly freedom, not God's freedom. God's freedom is to love and serve, trust Him, and, most importantly, do His will.

Sadly, the affairs of this life, worldliness, and ungodliness are most likely the greatest dangers the Lord's church faces today.  "14 And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature."  (Luke 8:14).

All the worldly affairs of this life keep us from loving God's Word and serving Him faithfully.  Our faith then becomes like the religion of a spectator.  We only want to come on Sunday mornings (if we make it!).  We sit and watch what is going on as "spectators."  We refuse to get involved in our Lord's business since our minds and hearts are engaged in something else.  We are too busy to visit the sick, so we burden our preacher with the job.  

Indeed, we have missed the point of being a true disciple and servant of the Lord.  We are too busy in worldly affairs to study and teach God's Word, so we only give that responsibility to our preacher. We don't find time for praying anymore, thus neglecting the furthering of our soul and the kingdom. We should be ashamed to behave this way, ignoring our God-given responsibility to Him and our neighbor.  It is all about me, me, and no one else.  "3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him."  (2 Timothy 2:3-4).  

IV.   "TO A YOKE OF SLAVERY."  

"It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery."  (Galatians 5:1)

The yoke here was the one the Judaizers were imposing on the free Gentile Christians (Acts 15:10). We must avoid other yokes that are not the yoke of Christ.  

• Sin is a yoke of slavery (John 8:34); 
• unequal yoke with unbelievers, lawlessness, darkness, idolatry (2 Cor. 6:14-18);  
• the yoke of social ties that lead us Christians into sin.  
• Christ is our only yoke (Matt. 11:29-30).  He has set us free from the slavery of sin.  

Therefore, this freedom we have in Jesus makes us:

• slaves of righteousness (Romans 6:18); 
• slaves to our only Master, God (Romans 6:22); 
• slaves to serve Christ alone (Romans 14:18; Col. 3:24); 
• slaves to serve from the heart (Eph. 6:6).

Our freedom in Christ must not be abused to satisfy our flesh without restraint (Galatians 5:13). Our freedom in Christ does not give us license to indulge our fleshly desires, "ungodly people, who pervert and the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ."  (Jude 4). We must not under any circumstance turn our freedom in Christ into licentiousness that we may continue in sin so that grace may abound (Romans 6:1, 15).  Yes, we are free from the old Law (the Law of Moses), free from sin, and free from fear.  Yet, we must not use this freedom as a covering for our sins or lawlessness but rather to serve God in righteousness and holiness as faithful servants and heirs of God. (Gal. 4:7, 31; 5:1; Psalm 110:3).

Living within God's true freedom means we will find who we truly were made to be by our Creator.  All other worldly pursuits are but temporary. They cannot make us slaves of righteousness. They can never free the heart of sin.   They can only bind us to the world of darkness and unrighteousness.

"and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness."  (Romans 6:18)

Many people do wonderful things that are worthwhile and good but still are not free from the slavery of sin.  They are still slaves in bondage.  They sink deeper because of the snares of this world.  Their heart, soul, and mind can not find true freedom.  The only true freedom is from the One who made us. God knows that we were made to glorify Him and can only accomplish this by surrendering completely to His Son.  It is when we find this freedom that we find peace.  We start doing the Father's will and are no longer bound to serve two masters.

V.   "FOR YOU WERE CALLED TO FREEDOM, BRETHREN."  (Verse 13)

"13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. "  (Galatians 5:13-15)

Though the Gentile brethren were sons of the free woman rather than the slave woman (Galatians 4:21-31) and should have grounded on that freedom, some still wanted to keep "days and months and seasons and years," which were weak and worthless elemental things.  They wanted to be enslaved to such elemental things all over again.  (Galatians 4:8-11).

Notice that in the letter to the Galatians, Paul uses the word "freedom" eleven times.  He used the same word seven times in his letter to the Romans and eight times in his letter to the Corinthians.  You see, "freedom" is a gift from God that one must protect and treasure at all costs.

VI.   "ONLY DO NOT TURN YOUR FREEDOM INTO AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE FLESH."  (Verse 13)

"13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. "  (Galatians 5:13-15).

The Truth does not make us free to sin, but rather it frees us from sin.  The Gospel set the Jews free from the yoke of the Law of Moses.  "14 For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace."  (Romans 6:14).

• The Grace of God teaches us (Titus 2:12), and
• that same teaching is the Law of Christ (the "Law of faith," Romans 3:27).  
• It is the "Law of the Spirit of life" in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:2). 
• Paul was under the "Law of Christ" (1 Cor. 9:21).

When Paul tried to teach about Grace, some wanted to believe that this meant freedom from all law.  Therefore, they could persevere in sin.  But Romans 6:1-4 answers that distortion of liberty:

"What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."

Protestants (especially the evangelicals) emphasize or stress substantially that we are not under Law but Grace.  For them, this implies that we are under no Law at all.  They have difficulty differentiating between the Law of Moses and the Law of Christ.  For them, law is law, and there is no law for the Christian!  And when one reminds them of the commandments (laws) that must be obeyed, they shout, "Legalist!"

So my question is, Of what are we free?  

1. Free from the guilt of sin (Acts 2:38).
2. Free from the power of sin, that is, the slavery of bad habits, fleshly desires, materialism, pleasure, etc. (Romans 6:12).
3. Free from the fear (terror) of God's wrath, judgment, and punishment (1 John 4:18).

Our freedom in Jesus does not allow us to indulge in whatever we want without fearing God's wrath. That would be to turn our freedom into licentiousness.  Therefore, we must "Live as people who are free, not using our freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God."  (1 Peter 2:16). "They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved."  (2 Peter 2:19).

God freed us from sin so that we could serve one another in love (Galatians 5:13-14).  Yes, God freed us to serve!  We are not free from all bondage.  Why?  Notice what Paul says:  "Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus."  (Romans 1:1).  "18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.¨  (Romans 6:18).  Likewise, we must be servants ourselves of one another.  Those who refuse to learn this cannot comprehend the real meaning of "freedom in Christ."

Paul did not want anyone to bear the yoke of the Old Law (Acts 15:10) but rather the yoke of Christ. A yoke that was easy to bear (Matthew 11:28-30).  Christ's yoke is the perfect Law of liberty (James 1:25; 2:12).

We are free from the dominion of sin. There is a war going on between the flesh and the Spirit.  "17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do."  (Gal. 5:17).  In Galatians 5:19-21 we have a list of the works of the flesh.  Likewise, in Galatians 5:22-23, we have a list of the fruit of the Spirit.  Don't you think they are there for a reason?!

It grieves me to see such a lousy relationship among brethren who profess to be faithful or "conservative" who pretend to preach and teach only "sound doctrine."  They boast about following the "Biblical pattern" only and "speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where it is silent." But apparently, their primary desire is to bite and devour each other.  They seem to be driven by the spirit of wild beasts rather than the spirit of love.  Those who behave this way are not free but slaves of their flesh.  They are carnal rather than spiritual and must repent if they don't want God's judgment on them.  Carnal or fleshly-minded brethren have not yet learned how to become gentle and meek children (Matt. 18:3-4).  They think of themselves more highly than they ought to (Romans 12:3).  They belittle and humiliate their brethren when they treat them this way.  They love to grumble or complain against their brethren with bitterness of heart, forgetting that the Judge is at the door watching them (James 5:9).   They refuse at all costs to be "peacemakers" (Matt. 5:9).  Why?  Because they are not "poor in spirit" (Matt. 5:3).  Let us be careful and not fall into the hands of an angry God.  Take heed!

Such men still slavishly serve corruption (their carnal passions).  They promise freedom but are still slaves to the flesh, that is, their sinful carnal habits that cause destruction (2 Peter 2:19).  Therefore, we must free ourselves from the works and passions of the flesh so that we may be approved of God.


VII.   "BUT THROUGH LOVE SERVE ONE ANOTHER."  (Verse 13)

"13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. "  (Galatians 5:13-15).

So how does one demonstrate freedom in Christ?  By accepting another class of service.  We stop being servants of sin to become servants of righteousness (Romans 6:12-18).  We then become servants of Christ when we serve one another in love (Matt. 25:34-46).  When we refuse to be servants of Christ and one another, we are abusing our freedom in Christ.

We are indeed free, but at the same time, we have responsibilities toward one another as part of that same freedom.  We have obligations.  The Law of Christ, the perfect Law of liberty (James 1:25; 2:12), compels us to serve God with love.  It is impossible to love God if we don't love one another (1 John 4:20).  The greatest in the kingdom of God is the one who is a servant, and serves the most as a slave (Matthew 20:26-28).  By way of example, consider:

• Dorcas (Acts 9:36, 39), 
• Phoebe (Romans 16:1-2), 
• the house of Stephanas (1 Cor. 16:15-16), and 
• Gaius (3 John 5-8).  

To give one's life to the Lord means to give one's life in service to others.  Notice that in Galatians 5, Paul employs the expression "one another" five times (verses 13, 15, 26).  If we don't learn what it means to live in peace with our brethren in Christ and serve one another in love, we violate the second commandment:  "14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Galatians 5:14; Matt. 22:39).  It implies that we have not learned this second commandment.  It also shows that we are not free.

Most people on this earth are dependent on each other.  It is an inescapable reality.  That is, "You help me, and I will help you back."  The world's philosophy is mostly self-interest or selfishness.  That is why Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."  (Matt. 16:24).  That is to say, disciples are not to be moved by self-interest but rather by a genuine spirit of service. There is no other way to be great in the Lord's eyes.  (Matt. 20:25-28).

A true follower of Christ serves in the hope of saving souls, strengthening and encouraging (edifying) the souls of all Christians so that they may continue in the faith. They serve because they want to save their souls and the souls of their hearers (1 Tim. 4:16).

So as a Christian, how can I best serve in the kingdom of God?

We have several Scriptures that explain how we ought to serve one another:

1. Admonishing one another, Romans 15:4.
2. Restoring one another, Galatians 6:1
3. Encouraging, edifying, admonishing, comforting, supporting, and being with one another, 1 Thes. 5:11, 14.
4. Stimulating one another, Hebrews 10:24
5. Practicing hospitality, Romans 12:13; 1 Peter 4:9.
6. Meeting their physical needs, James 2:14-26; 1 John 3:17-18.

In serving one another and doing all of the above, we are serving our Lord Jesus, our Master (Matthew 25:34-46).  My question:  What did the house of Stephanas do?  Consider what Paul has to say in 1 Cor. 16:15-16:

"15 Now I urge you, brothers—you know that the household  of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints— 16 be subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer."

Notice that they did not ask, "What shall we do? They did not complain saying, "No one gives us any work to do in the church." likewise, they did not wait for someone to tell them what to do or give them work to do.   They devoted themselves to serving the saints without being pushed or forced to do the job.

"I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, 2 that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well."  (Romans 16:1-2).  

Phoebe and Dorcas were sisters who served in many ways in the Lord's church (Acts 9:36, 39).  In Romans 16, we have several examples of saints who served and helped in many different ways in the church. When we attend to the needs of our brethren, we are serving Christ (Matt. 25:35-40).  There will always be sick, poor, needy brethren.  Several Scriptures speak of the need to practice hospitality toward one another (Rom. 12:13; 1 Peter 4:9, etc.).  The face of the earth is full of lost souls.  Sadly, most of them have never heard the saving Gospel of Christ.  As members of the body of Christ, we each have responsibilities that we must meet if we want God's approval.  

There are endless ways to serve and be of good use in the kingdom of our Lord. 

• Visit, teach the lost, 
• Invite them to our homes for Bible classes, 
• Distribute tracts, etc.
• Make good use of the phone, the internet, etc., to teach the Gospel.  

But there must be a willingness of heart to do it.

• Love is Active:  

Love is known for its actions.  God loved, and God gave.  Christ loved, and Christ gave.  Love must be visible and evident.  One seeking to find true freedom in Christ and freedom from the slavery of the flesh is not selfish, serving his own interests.  Rather with self-denial and a willing heart, he seeks the physical and spiritual welfare of others.

1. He serves willingly and chooses to do it, showing the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).  
2. He is "filled with the Spirit" (Eph. 5:18).  Everyone can see it!  Because he is moved by love. 
3. He does everything with a joyful heart.  
4. He shows it in his conduct, manner of speaking, and service to others.  
5. He is always a "peacemaker."  He lives peaceably with all (Romans 12:18).  
6. He does not try to appease or crush the sinner.  
7. He does not compromise with sin and error but teaches and practices with long-suffering the glorious Gospel of peace.  
8. He practices tolerance (patience) because he trusts (has faith and confidence) that the Word of God (the seed) will produce good fruit in due season.  
9. Not only does he endure his brethren with patience, but also he helps them bear their burden in love.  
10. He perseveres in doing good despite their ingratitude or rudeness.  
11. Moreover, he is kind and gentle in spirit, like the good Samaritan, Dorcas, and Barnabas.  
12. He is always faithful, loyal, trustworthy, and responsible.  
13. His gentleness of spirit is known to all men (Phi. 4:5).  
14. He practices self-control in everything and with everyone.  

Love is not about hidden qualities but rather about evident and provable ones. Therefore, if none of the above fruits are visible in us, cannot be seen in us, then they do not exist.  We are simply not bearing any good fruit.

Indeed, love is the source of freedom.  Let me explain how:  

1. If you hate me, I choose not to hate you back; that is freedom.  
2. If you slander me, I choose not to slander you back; that is freedom.  
3. If you are bitter against me, I choose not to be bitter toward you; that is freedom.  
4. No matter what evil you do against me, I choose to do good toward you; that is freedom. 
5. Think of Jesus as your highest example:  
• They spit on Him, yet He did not spit back.  
• They slapped Him, yet He did not slap back. 
• They cursed and mocked Him, yet He did not curse and mock any of them.  
• They abused their power against Him, yet He did not abuse His power against them. 
• They killed Him, but instead, He forgave them.  
• They were slaves to corruption and evil, yet He was sinless.  
• Jesus was the freest person who ever lived on this earth.  Nothing could enslave Him. 
• No evil ever motivated Him.  
• Not even death had dominion over Him.  

My question is:  Do we want true freedom?

VIII.    THE WHOLE LAW OF CHRIST IS FULFILLED IN ONE WORD:  LOVE

"14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  (Galatians 5:14)

In Matthew 22:34-40, a certain lawyer of the Sadducees asked Jesus about the greatest commandment in the Law.  Notice what Jesus said to him:

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."

In Romans 13:8-10, Paul told the brethren in Rome:

"8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, 'You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law."'

The word "love" in the Bible does not mean just a feeling or emotion but rather an action (a state of being active).  It is seen in our service to others and our goodwill (our kindness, generosity, tolerance, friendliness, empathy, sympathy, understanding, wholeheartedness, warmth, earnestness, etc.).  Love desires the welfare and protection of the one that we love.  Love demands that we love even our enemies and persecutors.  Love demands that we pray for them, their souls, that they may come to repentance (Matthew 5:44-45).

What the Bible teaches about love is much different than what the world teaches.  The world's love demands that we love ourselves.  It is all about us and little else.  Our world teaches that love is one's appreciation for himself and the attention others pay us.  Love is Valentine's Day and Cupid, love songs, and romance. Moreover, the world's concept of love is based primarily on feelings rather than on our loyalty and commitment to those we love and God.

So true love is not just a feeling or emotion.  In fact, love goes against our feelings.  Love is treating others the way we want them to treat us.  It follows the Golden Rule of Matthew 7:12.  It involves self-denial rather than self-fulfillment.  It is considering others' interests before our own,

In John 15:13, we are given an excellent example of love, the love of our Lord and Savior, who died for us.  What more excellent example of love can there be than this?!

The world's concept of love is selfish rather than sacrificial.  It is self-absorbed emotionalism. Designed to meet one's needs rather than respond to the needs of others.  It is conditional love rather than unconditional.  It is mutually exploitative.

IX.   BITING AND DEVOURING ONE ANOTHER:

"15 But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another."   (Galatians 5:15)

The phrase "if you bite" is often referred to snakes, or vipers.  When Paul wrote this letter to the Galatians, a certain percentage of Christians had fallen prey to the teaching of the Judaizers.  Those evil men have succeeded in their goal considerably.  According to Paul, they had threatened the welfare of the Lord's church by their false teaching, and some brethren needed to be straightened out.  Their error had to be reversed.  But notice that Paul insisted that this teaching process from error to truth be carried out in love without their destroying one another (biting and devouring one another).  This process of correction had to be handled correctly in love.  Why?  Because if they handled it incorrectly, they were running the risk of consuming one another, resulting in destruction. The destruction of their souls!  Paul was pleading with these Galatian brethren to make sure their correction from apostasy from within did not cause any additional harm.  He reminded them that their love and concern for one another was the key to making this difficult task successful.

This does not imply that the church should not engage in stern or severe action against error from within. Paul makes this point perfectly clear in 1 Corinthians 5, where he uses hard words to correct the sin within the church.  And though love ought to motivate and move us when dealing with sin, there comes a time when that love means doing what's in the best interest of others, including all others in the congregation.  Sadly, such action is necessary for the welfare and health of the whole congregation.  But we must be cautious about how we do it since the souls of our brethren are at stake.  We do not want to handle it unwisely but rather responsibly.  Again, even though action is essential, we must do our best for the church's welfare. Take heed!! We must not consume each other and be lost.

Do you know that we are made manifest to the world?  That the world is watching and observing every step we take?  

Jesus pleaded with the Father asking, 

"21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me."  (John 13:34-35).  

If the brethren are biting and devouring each other, the world (those who have not obeyed the gospel) will know that we are not Christ's disciples because of our wicked and ungodly conduct.  Therefore, they will conclude that we are not the Lord's church, those who have been redeemed to walk in righteousness and holiness. We must stop biting and devouring one another and start serving each other!! Love for others will not permit us to destroy them in the name of freedom.  

Sadly, many backbiters destroy entire congregations (Prov. 25:23; 2 Cor. 11:20; 2 Cor. 12:20).

Let us be careful and not destroy our brethren in the name of freedom.  Love will not permit us to do that. If your freedom is irresponsible, it will destroy others. Freedom is found in love, not in reckless irresponsibility.

CONCLUSION:

It is a great blessing to have freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and the right to privacy. But all these can be taken away in the blink of an eye.  And though they can all be removed from us, we Christians will remain free.  Free from what?  Free from the slavery of sin.  Free to righteousness in Christ.  Free from the condemnation of sin that we might have eternal life.  Jesus has already paid the price for our freedom with His own blood, the blood of the sinless and innocent Jesus.

You see, "whoever commits sin is a slave of sin."  (John 8:34).  One who sins is a slave to sin (Rom. 6:16-23).  When we are enslaved to sin, we are in danger of dying in our sins without hope (John 8:24).  Jesus, the Son of God, makes us free through His Truth (John 8:32).  In Him, we have eternal freedom, (John 8:36).  Sadly, many don't want freedom from sin.  They like to be slaves to their desires, pleasures, and indulgences.  Some have the wrong idea about freedom and show it by acting and thinking irresponsibly.  Their freedom is unrestrained.  They are deceived, thinking freedom is whatever it takes to make them happy.  Others use freedom to gain and exercise control, doing everything their way and surrendering to their traditions, presumptions, preconceived notions, and prejudices.

Only in knowing Jesus can we truly be free and find peace and contentment.  We can rest in Him and be free to walk with Him, abide in Him and have a diligent heart that freely listens to and obeys Him.  He walks on ahead, showing us the WAY.  He is guiding us in the path of righteousness through His eternal Word. We follow Him, setting our hearts free from the bondage and slavery of sin. Christ's true freedom is to love and serve.  It demands that we die to self, crucifying our ego, which often gets in the way.  As we love and serve, we draw nearer to Jesus, His character, and His heart.  We conform our lives to only Him.  Only then do we find true freedom for our enslaved souls. It will bring joy in our walk with Him.

    "So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed."  (John 8:36)

Our culture is fooled by books and entertainment, and other worldly venues whose primary goal is to lie to us, telling us what it takes to be "free."  They are ignorant of true freedom: freedom for the heart, soul, and mind.  Freedom for our earthly lives and eternal souls. A freedom that can only be found in the One who laid Himself down for us, our Lord and Savior.  He sacrificed His life so that we might taste the freedom God can offer.  A freedom that will come to its full glory in Heaven. Therefore, let us purpose to seek after Him and His kingdom of righteousness.  Let us pray for God to help our hearts be free from the chains of sin so that we may walk in freedom.

"Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God."  (1 Peter 2:16)

When we first seek God and His righteousness, we find true freedom.  Let us not be fooled.  The world can only offer false freedom; it is revealed as lies when the veil is torn.  Our Lord Jesus offers us the only genuine and lasting freedom that exists.  That freedom is eternal and will never die!

 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33)

So, I leave you with the question:  What can you do to serve in God's kingdom of righteousness?   Remember that service to others is our best demonstration of love to Jesus, who died for us.  Why not look for opportunities to serve Him as you serve in His kingdom?   Never forget that we have been set free from the bondage of sin to serve one another and not to indulge ourselves in selfishness.

May the Lord open our eyes to see His real and lasting freedom.  May He also free our hearts, minds, and souls from the bondage of sin so that we may breathe the fresh air of Truth that He offers.  May He open our minds to a life of righteousness and holiness that brings honor to Him.  May we always desire to live in His freedom, breaking all the chains in our lives so that we may be enslaved to Him only.

 "22 But now that you the have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life."  (Romans 6:22).

The following song, Oh! To Be Like Thee, written by Thomas O. Chisholm, expresses beautifully how we ought to imitate our Lord and Savior in a worthy manner according to our calling through His glorious Gospel.  Our Lord Jesus suffered and died, leaving us an example so we may walk in His footsteps.  (I Peter 2:21). When we exercise the character of Christ in our lives, we come to know Him and have a relationship with Him.  This is the glory of His New Testament.  The Gospel teaches us His glory, transforming, molding, and changing us into His image, His glorious likeness.  Praise the Lord for His glory reflected in His Gospel!!

"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit."  (2 Corinthians 3:18)

Oh! To Be Like Thee

Oh! to be like Thee, blessed Redeemer,

This is my constant longing and prayer;

Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures,

Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.

Refrain:

Oh! to be like Thee, oh! to be like Thee,

Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art;

Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;

Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.

Oh! to be like Thee, full of compassion,

Loving, forgiving, tender and kind,

Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting,

Seeking the wand’ring sinner to find.

Oh! to be like Thee, lowly in spirit,

Holy and harmless, patient and brave;

Meekly enduring cruel reproaches,

Willing to suffer, others to save.

Oh! to be like Thee, Lord, I am coming,

Now to receive th’ anointing divine;

All that I am and have I am bringing,

Lord, from this moment all shall be Thine.

Oh! to be like Thee, while I am pleading,

Pour out Thy Spirit, fill with Thy love,

Make me a temple meet for Thy dwelling,

Fit me for life and Heaven above.

Luci