What does it mean to have moral freedom?
September 3, 2010
Bill Johnson picketing Deja Vu, Lansing, MI
In Michigan, year in and year out there seems to be a true demarcation line between summer and fall even by the calendar. It’s as if August comes to an end and Labor Day comes and the weather begins to cool down right on schedule. That is the case even on this day as the temps cooled significantly last evening as we move into the Labor Day weekend.
With the final holiday season of the summer upon us, I am passing along a few spiritual reminders of what it means to have moral freedom. With a few more days or periods of time for recreation and free time, as wonderful as that is, some will let lust draw and drive them. That is not moral freedom. What is moral freedom?
“Moral freedom is having your physical drives under the control of the Holy Spirit. Moral freedom is transforming physical drives into spiritual power so that from your inner person will come life-giving benefits to others. ‘… As the scripture hath said, out of his belly ([innermost being] shall flow rivers of living water’ (John 7:38).
Moral freedom is not the right to do whatever you want; it is the power to do what you ought. It is being ‘… strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints … the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge [surpasses human understand] …’
(Ephesians 3:16-19). …
When you [become] a Christian, God’s Spirit [unites] with your human spirit, and God [gives] you the potential of being mighty in spirit.
Your spirit is the home of FAITH.
Faith is not a blind leaping in the dark; it is discerning what God intends to accomplish in and through your life.
The first function of faith is to believe in Christ for salvation. The Holy Spirit then takes up residence in your spirit and confirms that you are a Christian. ‘The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.’ (Romans 8:16).
It is only by faith that you are able to see and agree with the moral standards of God.
Your spirit is the home of CONSCIENCE.
Your spirit will convict your mind when you are about to do something that is morally wrong. On the other hand, your spirit will give assurances to your mind when you are doing something morally right. Thus, it is in your spirit that your senses are ‘exercised to discern both good and evil’ [Hebrews 5:14].
Disobeying the promptings of the Holy Spirit will cause Him to be grieved and will quench His power in your life.”
[Taken from How to Follow Basic Life Principles, Institute for Basic Life Principles]
If you are reading the above and recognizing you are caught in the grips of lust and would like to escape this bondage, I hope you will contact me at bjohnson@americandecency.org. We would like to help you attain moral freedom.
=============================================================
A classic resource available for a limited time only: “The Holiness of God” by R.C. Sproul.
To order your free copy, email bjohnson@americandecency.org
Many of you took advantage of our offer regarding the book “The Pursuit of Holiness” by Jerry Bridges. This is what Jerry Bridges has to say about this book offer “Every Christian who is serious about his or her growth needs to read ‘The Holiness of God.’ I profited greatly from this book.”
=======================================================
Donate online: https://secure4.afo.net/ada/donate.php
American Decency Association
P.O. Box 202
Fremont MI 49412
American Decency Association is a member of the Evangelical Council
for Financial Accountability.
————————
American Decency Association
Bill Johnson, President
P.O. Box 202
Fremont, MI 49412ph: 231-924-4050
http://www.americandecency.org/
http://www.twitter.com/billwjohnson
