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JimfromOhio

I am happlily married with 5 kids. I am an accoutant and worked in an accounting field for over 25 years. I like to make a habit of writing down whenever I have deep thoughts about God (so I won't forget). I really into Reformed Theology that is connected to Presbyterian Church in America.

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Location: Columbus, Ohio, United States

I enjoy having deep thoughts about God and put down what I actually think about (so I won't forget).

Friday, June 02, 2006

Liberty, Grace and Burden

Giving up something is never an issue for me because of my commitment to Christ when I accepted Christ's conditions in the following verses..... Luke 14:27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:33 In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple. Giving up has to do "self" while cost of discipleship has to do with "others". Therefore its more about having grace in our lives. Spiritual liberty means the freedom to be all that we were designed to be, but this is not a freedom that is without restrictions or responsibilities. Grace is about loving other people that we have the freedom to do so but at the same time, don't flaunt our freedom or mock those who disagree. We are in the building up relationship, not destroying. Grace is we live in the Spirit AND also walk in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit dwells in us with all the power and gifts of God, necessary to enable us to walk the noble, spiritual, Son-like life with God. With Grace, we can show mercy and help others (Heb. 4:13-16). By focusing on what Christians ought to get, they forget the burden of loving help which we are commanded to give to others: "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2). We have the responsibility "for each one should carry his own load" (Galatians 6:5). The cost of discipleship is a price I am gladly pay for the privilege of walking in fruitfulness with others who are in the same burdensome. We all have to come to the understanding that while God wants us to be Spirit-filled that God's loving desire that we should reflect His own holiness and goodness.