Today's Scripture
” All of you, slave and free both, were once held hostage in a sinful society. Then a huge sum was paid out for your ransom. So please don't, out of old habit, slip back into being or doing what everyone else tells you. Friends, stay where you were called to be. God is there. Hold the high ground with him at your side. “ 1 Corinthians 7:23-24MSG
Thoughts for Today
Christ paid the greatest price—his life—so that we might have freedom from slavery to sin. And yet when we slip back into making our choices to please people, we actually become a slave to their opinion. God wants us to seek godly counsel, to glean from others' wisdom, but he does not want us to be motivated by a need to be accepted by others.
Putting our trust in people will ultimately lead to disappointment. Even those who mean well will disappoint us at times. Others may outright reject us. Jesus understands. He suffered indignation, rejection and betrayal.
Even though people may reject us, we can be confident that Jesus never will. When we repented of our sin and received him as our savior, he clothed us in his righteousness (Isaiah 61:10). Nothing can separate us from his love (Romans 8:37-39). He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).
Consider this…
Are you a slave to other people’s opinions—always seeking their approval, walking in fear of their rejection? Good news! Through the power and love of Jesus, you can be free of this bondage. You are precious in his sight. He will never leave you … or reject you. Focus your efforts on pleasing him and returning his love. He has a good plan for your life. “Stay where you were called to be. God is there. Hold the high ground with him at your side.”
Sometimes making the choices to do things God’s way, rather than the world’s way, might seem difficult ... even frightening. But we can take great comfort in knowing that his way is always the best way. And as we make the choice to please God, to do things his way, he will give us the strength and courage we need. We can do all things through Christ (Philippians 4:13).
Prayer…
Father, I thank you that through Christ I have been set free—free to be the person you designed me to be, free from a fear of rejection. Teach me to walk in that freedom—to always put you first in my life, to make choices based on your plan for me. In Jesus’ name…
These thoughts were drawn from…
Lessons Learned: Moving from Homosexuality to Holiness by Tammy Webb-Witholt. We live in a broken and fallen world; our brokenness extends to the depths of our emotions, our souls, and our sexuality. This small group curriculum by Tammy Webb-Witholt deals with moving from a homosexual lifestyle into a vital growing relationship with Jesus Christ. This study…
Shows that the goal is not only to move from homosexuality into heterosexuality. The goal of our lives as followers of Christ is to come into His holiness.
Shows that our journey of faith in Christ, whatever the depth of our brokenness, sexual or otherwise, is not to merely stop being one thing in order to become another.
Shows that the goal of each day is to grow toward Christ. God by the power of His Holy Spirit and the truth of His Holy Word transforms us into a new creation.
Shows the holiness is used in the truest definition of the word holy meaning to be "set apart" for God.
Although this study is written primarily for people coming out of a homosexual lifestyle, it deals with biblical principles that can help each of us experience a deeper walk with Christ.
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