{"id":3701,"date":"2015-10-16T00:00:35","date_gmt":"2015-10-16T07:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/?p=3701"},"modified":"2015-10-15T23:03:07","modified_gmt":"2015-10-16T06:03:07","slug":"1016-free-love","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hoc6.org\/global\/2015\/10\/16\/1016-free-love\/","title":{"rendered":"10\/16: Free Love (\u8bd7119:41-48 \u63d0\u524d1:1-20 \u803632:26-34:22)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u8bfb\u7ecf\uff1a\u8bd7119:41-48 \u63d0\u524d1:1-20 \u803632:26-34:22<\/h2>\n

Free Love<\/h2>\n
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In early February 1974, I was facing the biggest decision of my life. I was convinced through reading the New Testament that Jesus really was the Son of God. But I did not want to be a Christian as I feared that I would lose my freedom. The last things that I associated with faith were love and freedom. I associated faith with losing <\/em>my freedom. I thought that God would want me to stop doing all the things that were fun and that I enjoyed.<\/p>\n

In fact, I have discovered over the last forty years, and as we see in today\u2019s passages, that true faith leads to<\/em> freedom and love. Love, faith and freedom are inextricably entwined.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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1. Keep trusting in God\u2019s Word<\/h2>\n

Psalm 119:41-48<\/a>\u2018May your unfailing love<\/em> come to me, O Lord\u2019 (v.41a) cries out the psalmist as he begins this section of Psalm 119. \u2018Let your love<\/em>, God, shape my life\u2019 (v.41a MSG). It ends with a response of love: \u2018I cherish your commandments \u2013 oh, how I love<\/em> them! \u2013 relishing every fragment of your counsel\u2019 (vv.47b\u201348, MSG).<\/p>\n

In between, he speaks of his faith <\/em>in God\u2019s word. He says, \u2018then I will answer the one who taunts me, for I trust<\/em> in your word\u2019 (v.42). Trust and faith are almost synonyms.<\/p>\n

People of faith are taunted today as they always have been. But, whatever happens, keep on trusting in God\u2019s word. This trust enables us to respond even to taunting with confidence.<\/p>\n

Ask God to reveal to you more and more his unfailing love (v.41). Respond in love (vv.47\u201348), trust, hope and obedience (vv.42\u201344).\u00a0Seek God\u2019s ways through the Bible, and you will discover true freedom and be able to say, \u2018I\u2019ll stride freely through wide open spaces as I look for your truth and your wisdom\u2019 (v.45, MSG).<\/p>\n

Lord, today may I experience your unfailing love and respond with love to all those I meet and with whom I speak. As I put my trust in you and your word, may I walk in freedom.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

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2. Hold on to your sincere faith<\/h2>\n

1 Timothy 1:1-20<\/a>The apostle Paul was responsible for leading Timothy to faith in Jesus Christ and, in this way, is Timothy\u2019s spiritual father. Like any good father, Paul is concerned about Timothy and wants the very best for him. He describes Timothy, to whom this letter is written, as his \u2018true son in the faith<\/em>\u2019 (v.2).<\/p>\n

Timothy has also become a leader, pastor and teacher. Paul gives him instructions on leadership and how to deal with problems in the church. These are of great relevance to all of us today.<\/p>\n

God\u2019s work is by faith<\/em> (v.4): \u2018The goal of this command is love<\/em>, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith<\/em>\u2019 (v.5). Love and faith should always go together.<\/p>\n

Paul lists various sins that are to be avoided at all costs (vv.8\u201311). Among these is slave trading (v.10). Slavery is the opposite of freedom and trafficking people is an abomination.<\/p>\n

Paul goes on to give his own testimony in which faith, love and freedom are intertwined. He was \u2018once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man\u2019 (v.13). He describes himself as \u2018the worst of sinners\u2019 (v.16).<\/p>\n

I find it fascinating to see the progression in the way in which the apostle Paul describes himself:<\/p>\n