Microsoft Word - ChristianityNotReligionBkMSS.doc

(WallPaper) #1

God was to dwell within, and activate His character of
goodness through the creature man. By the fall of mankind
into sin, and their spiritual enslavement to the Evil One (II
Tim. 2:26), they became "slaves of sin" and to the
expression of his character of evil. In Jesus Christ we are
restored to God's intent by God's indwelling and dynamic
activity in us. Free to be man as God intended man to be,
by the presence and power of Jesus Christ in us. Freedom is
a most important concept of Christianity. Jesus said, "You
shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall set you free"
(John 8:32), and then, "If therefore the Son shall make you
free, you shall be free indeed" (John 8:36). Paul explained,
"It was for freedom that Christ set us free...do not be
subject again to a yoke of slavery" (Gal. 5:1); "You were
called to freedom, brethren" (Gal. 5:13). "Where the spirit
of the Lord is, there is liberty" (II Cor. 3:17). We are free to
be good as God intended man to be. Free to love God and
allow His goodness to be expressed through us for others.
What freedom! Augustine explained that we can "love God
and do what we want."
The religionist only understands freedom as freedom
from something rather than freedom to God's intent. He
seems only to conceive of freedom in the context of law,

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