Liberty - it's so much more
I've been going through the Beth Moore Bible study, "Breaking Free," and, first off, it's fantastic. I don't know if the study itself is so fantastic (I think it is), or if it's just fantastic to be back in the Word of God (I KNOW that is!). So anyway, this week we studied five benefits (found throughout Isaiah) that God has extended to his children. I'd like to talk about benefit 2: To Glorify God.
First to understand, what Is the "Glory of God?" I cannot begin to explain the Glory of God in it's fullness and entirety, because I cannot begin to understand the fullness and complexity of the Glory of God- especially here at the beginning of my journey. However, I'll share a taste of the glimpse I've gotten; the Glory of God is the very Likeness of God- it is powerful and strikes awe and terror into the hearts of those that behold it (Numbers 20:6), His Glory is Holy (Isaiah 6:3), the Glory of God is tangible and it seems to respond to the true worship of His servants, God's glory befuddles His people (2 Chronicles 5:13-14), Those who know God, know His glory- and talk about it! (Psalm 29:9), God is jealous of His glory- it is unique to all other things, He will not share His Glory (Isaiah 42:8), His glory is how He (Jesus) revealed Himself as God to His disciples (John 2:11), Glory is part of the very identity of God (Hebrews 1:3)!!
Isaiah 43:7 says, "Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him." Now I don't know how well I will be able to communicate this, but here goes- in the past I have read the statement, "I have created him for my glory," with an emphasis on MY- a focus on God's possessiveness of His glory. Frankly I am very happy and comfortable being created purely for the pleasure of God, purely to exalt Him, purely for His own benefit, and I don't want to diminish that... it's just that this time I noticed something different. What if the emphasis is not on the word "my," but on the word "for?" For His glory. As in, "I created this jewelry box for my most precious jewels." I am not created only to glorify God, but as a place where God will put His glory! I am created to house the very Glory of God!
1 Corinthians 10:31 "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." After studying the Glory of God, this verse has a whole new meaning to me. I guess I've heard this verse used in the very relaxed context of, "do whatever you want, it really doesn't matter as long as you do it to the glory God." What?! No! This verse is an exciting exhortation- Whatever You Do- Do EVERYTHING to reflect the very GLORY of the Almighty God!! Hallalujah!!
Now, this is where it gets personal for me. My experience may differ from yours, so the truth of what I'm about to share may have a different application for you than it does for me. I'm not talking "to" anyone in particular, I'm just sharing what God's showing me. I grew up in a conservative home, in a conservative church, using a conservative homeschool curriculum and surrounded by conservative friends. I have loved my life, my home, my church, my education experience, and my friends. Within the "group" that I grew up in many have since confessed that they always felt judged- restrained to look, act, and "be" a certain way- very much "under the law." They have since discovered "freedom in Christ" and no longer are under "the law." Hallalujah! Personally though, I never remember feeling the burden of the law. I have heard and read many testimonies of finding "liberty." My understanding of "liberty" heretofore has been the concept of not being under the law but under grace. While this is truly amazing, that we are free from the law of works, having never truly felt that burden myself it is difficult to really rejoice in its lifting.
Here is my new discovery: "when Christ is not recognizable in a redeemed life, we want to identify and allow God to treat that area of captivity!"* When Christ is not Recognizable in me- that is captivity! Recognizable how? In all of His GLORY! The Magnificent Glory of God- the Image of God- the Holiness and Wholeness of the Incorruptible God- the Manifestation of GOD in all that HE IS, Shining in every facet and corner and crevice of my simple life- THAT is LIBERTY!! THAT is FREEDOM!!!!!! HALLALUJAH!!!! That and Nothing Less!!!! The GLORY OF GOD IN ME!!!! HALLALUJAH!!!!!!!! Liberty is not merely the absence of the law, it is the presence of glory. Almighty God may I accept nothing less in my life. My I pursue, or rather allow you to pursue, every area of captivity until I am free and Free Indeed!
Amen!
*Breaking Free by Beth Moore
First to understand, what Is the "Glory of God?" I cannot begin to explain the Glory of God in it's fullness and entirety, because I cannot begin to understand the fullness and complexity of the Glory of God- especially here at the beginning of my journey. However, I'll share a taste of the glimpse I've gotten; the Glory of God is the very Likeness of God- it is powerful and strikes awe and terror into the hearts of those that behold it (Numbers 20:6), His Glory is Holy (Isaiah 6:3), the Glory of God is tangible and it seems to respond to the true worship of His servants, God's glory befuddles His people (2 Chronicles 5:13-14), Those who know God, know His glory- and talk about it! (Psalm 29:9), God is jealous of His glory- it is unique to all other things, He will not share His Glory (Isaiah 42:8), His glory is how He (Jesus) revealed Himself as God to His disciples (John 2:11), Glory is part of the very identity of God (Hebrews 1:3)!!
Isaiah 43:7 says, "Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him." Now I don't know how well I will be able to communicate this, but here goes- in the past I have read the statement, "I have created him for my glory," with an emphasis on MY- a focus on God's possessiveness of His glory. Frankly I am very happy and comfortable being created purely for the pleasure of God, purely to exalt Him, purely for His own benefit, and I don't want to diminish that... it's just that this time I noticed something different. What if the emphasis is not on the word "my," but on the word "for?" For His glory. As in, "I created this jewelry box for my most precious jewels." I am not created only to glorify God, but as a place where God will put His glory! I am created to house the very Glory of God!
1 Corinthians 10:31 "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." After studying the Glory of God, this verse has a whole new meaning to me. I guess I've heard this verse used in the very relaxed context of, "do whatever you want, it really doesn't matter as long as you do it to the glory God." What?! No! This verse is an exciting exhortation- Whatever You Do- Do EVERYTHING to reflect the very GLORY of the Almighty God!! Hallalujah!!
Now, this is where it gets personal for me. My experience may differ from yours, so the truth of what I'm about to share may have a different application for you than it does for me. I'm not talking "to" anyone in particular, I'm just sharing what God's showing me. I grew up in a conservative home, in a conservative church, using a conservative homeschool curriculum and surrounded by conservative friends. I have loved my life, my home, my church, my education experience, and my friends. Within the "group" that I grew up in many have since confessed that they always felt judged- restrained to look, act, and "be" a certain way- very much "under the law." They have since discovered "freedom in Christ" and no longer are under "the law." Hallalujah! Personally though, I never remember feeling the burden of the law. I have heard and read many testimonies of finding "liberty." My understanding of "liberty" heretofore has been the concept of not being under the law but under grace. While this is truly amazing, that we are free from the law of works, having never truly felt that burden myself it is difficult to really rejoice in its lifting.
Here is my new discovery: "when Christ is not recognizable in a redeemed life, we want to identify and allow God to treat that area of captivity!"* When Christ is not Recognizable in me- that is captivity! Recognizable how? In all of His GLORY! The Magnificent Glory of God- the Image of God- the Holiness and Wholeness of the Incorruptible God- the Manifestation of GOD in all that HE IS, Shining in every facet and corner and crevice of my simple life- THAT is LIBERTY!! THAT is FREEDOM!!!!!! HALLALUJAH!!!! That and Nothing Less!!!! The GLORY OF GOD IN ME!!!! HALLALUJAH!!!!!!!! Liberty is not merely the absence of the law, it is the presence of glory. Almighty God may I accept nothing less in my life. My I pursue, or rather allow you to pursue, every area of captivity until I am free and Free Indeed!
Amen!
*Breaking Free by Beth Moore
posted by Shannon Jessup | 11:08 AM
1 Comments:
Hey shannon are you doing this bible study if not we are starting it on the 25th of February at my house in Bethany. I am so excited we did her old version of breaking free and decided to do the new edition. Hope you can make it.
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