05/17/06
TEN A’S TO FREEDOM IN CHRIST
Ø Do you have areas in your life that need to change but aren’t?
Ø Are you growing closer to God and others, or are you moving farther away?
Ø Do you need strength to break away from sinful thoughts and behaviors that control you?
Ø Would you like to say “yes” more often to God, and “no” more often to temptation?
Jesus promised his followers that “the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). The Bible is clear that Jesus Christ is able to set people free from the penalty and power of sin, to live a life pleasing to God (John 8:36). However, this freedom is available only to those who believe and obey the truth of God’s word.
These “A’s” are written for true believers in Jesus Christ. If you have never turned from your sin and trusted Christ to be the Savior and Lord of your life, now is the time to do so! By doing this you will be saved (delivered) from the eternal penalty of your sin. However, being delivered from the power of your sin is a continual process involving continual choices to believe and obey the truth of God’s word.
The “Ten A’s” listed here are key truths from the Bible. By following each “A” continually, we will receive God’s power to overcome sin and to live the life that He desires.
1. ABANDON ALL SIN
I need to confess all my sins to God and turn away from them. This includes every thought, attitude, word or deed that does not please God - from the past and in the present. This is crucial because God is a Holy God and He will only fellowship with those who walk in purity (2 Ch. 7:14; Psa. 24:3-5; 32:1-5; 66:18; I Jn. 1:9).
Key Attitude: To enjoy fellowship with Christ I must repent of every sin in my life.
2. ABIDE IN CHRIST
Every growing relationship needs time, attention, and communication. So does my relationship with Christ. That is why I need to spend time alone with Him each day. He both desires it and deserves it! He talks to me through His word and His Spirit, and I talk to Him through prayer (John 10:1-27; 15:1-8; I Thes. 5:17).
Key Attitude: I will spend time alone with Christ each day.
3. ADORE THE LORD
In light of who God is, and what He has done, is doing, and will yet do for me, I will praise and thank Him continually. His love for me inspires my love for Him! Worshiping God involves not only my lips, but my life. All that I do is to be done for His glory (Psalm 34:1; 63:4; 103:2; Rom. 12:1; I Thes. 5:18; Heb. 13:15).
Key Attitude: I will forever praise God for who He is and for what He has done for me.
4. ADMIT MY NEED
I must admit that I am powerless to obey God without His presence and power in my life. Without His grace, I am incapable of doing His will. I acknowledge that I need Him for everything in life. Apart from Christ I can do nothing, and with Him I can do all things (John 15:4-5; 2 Cor. 12:9-12; Phil. 4:13).
Key Attitude: I need God’s help in order to do God’s will.
5. ASK FOR HELP
In order to receive God’s help, I must ask Him for it. And when I ask Him for His help, I am to trust Him to provide it. God has promised me in His word that He will supply everything I need to live how He wants me to live. And He wants me to believe that He will supply it (Matt. 7:7-8; 21:22; Heb. 4:16; I John 5:14-15).
Key Attitude: I will continually ask God for His help and trust Him to provide it.
6. ACQUIRE THE FIRE
To have the filling, fruit, and fire of the Holy Spirit in my life, I need to surrender everything to Him continually. This includes my body, thoughts, choices, relationships, entertainment, money, past, and future. I will give up control to God so that I can be controlled by God (Romans 6-8; 12:1; Gal. 5:16-26; Eph. 5:18).
Key Attitude: I will continually surrender all that I am and have to God.
7. AFFIRM MY IDENTITY
Through my spiritual union with Christ, I am dead to sin and alive to God. I share with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection, and am set free from the control of sin, self, and Satan. Because of who I am in Christ, and who He is in me, I have a totally new life to live (Rom. 6-8; 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 2:20; Col. 3:1-3).
Key Attitude: I have new life in Christ and will no longer be controlled by sin.
8. ACT IN OBEDIENCE
Because Jesus is my Lord, and the Bible is His word, I will do whatever He commands. I will also resist whatever the Bible forbids. My obedience to Christ reveals my love for Him, and allows me to experience His love for me (Matt. 7:21; Luke 6:46-49; John 14:15-23; 15:9-14; James 1:22; 2:26; I John 2:5).
Key Attitude: Because Jesus is my Lord I will obey His word.
9. AVOID SATAN’S TRAPS
By putting on the full armor of God, I protect myself from the weapons that Satan uses to try to defeat me: deception, doubt, discouragement, distraction, and division. This involves standing in the authority of Jesus Christ by believing, declaring, and obeying His word (Matt. 4:1-11; Eph. 6:10-18; James 4:7; I Peter 5:8-9).
Key Attitude: I now choose to believe and obey God’s word and I resist all attempts of Satan to defeat me.
10. ASSEMBLE WITH BELIEVERS
I cannot grow in my relationship with God and others without a group of devoted believers to help me. I too need to help others grow in their love for God and others. The “one-another” commands of the New Testament give us direction on how to do this (Acts 2:42-47; Romans 12; I Cor. 12; Eph. 4; Heb. 10:25).
Key Attitude: I need to love and be loved by other believers in Christian community.
FINAL REMINDER:
Yesterday’s victories do not ensure victory today. Our freedom must be maintained continually. Therefore we need to work through these A’s every day, and throughout the day as needed. Always remember: sin enslaves us, but the truth sets us free. Jesus said it. Let’s choose to believe it and obey it, today and always!
Let’s keep up the fight – in His might!
Your brother in Christ,
Brennan Basler
Tempe, Arizona