Lesson 59 October 27, 2002

Part 3 & 4 - Newness of our Position in Christ

Freedom as Ability to Love God and to Love One's Neighbor

True freedom in Christ is the ability to love God with one's whole heart, soul, and mind, to be occupied with Christ and to love one's neighbor as oneself, the application that flows from that relationship with God through Christ.

Most are not accustomed to thinking that true Christian freedom is God's enablement to do his will.

It is a change of masters: from bondage to the sin nature, to bondage to Christ (Rom. 6:15-23). Freedom is based on the enablement provided by the Holy Spirit who frees people to love God fully, unshackled by the sin nature as we formerly were shackled by sin in Adam.

Freedom enjoyed is therefore predicated on obedience to the will of God, living in the sphere of the will of God, therefore living a sanctified life. [1 Ths. 4:3,7-8]

Paul uses the verb "walk" to describe the fact that the Christian life is not merely a "sign up" but a complete course through which to pass, one's whole life lived daily.

(Rom. 6:4; 8:4; 13:13; 14:15; 1 Cor. 3:3; 7:17; 2 Cor. 4:2; 5:7; 10:2; Gal. 5:16; Eph. 2:10; 4:1, 17; 5:2, 8, 15; Col. 1:10; 2:6; 3:7; 4:5; 1 Thess. 2:12; 4:1, 12; 2 Thess. 3:6, 11).

Perfection is not possible, if by "perfection" you mean sinlessness.

But it is possible to live basically the way God wants Christians to live.

In addition, it is not impossible to live because the Holy Spirit is present as a constant helper and he will cause the growth and development that are necessary if we will live by His power. The freedom that Christ has provided guarantees success.

2. Life in the Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a central role in our life as believers.

When the transfer was made from "in Adam" to "in Christ" a corresponding transfer was made from "in flesh" to "in Spirit" positionally.

We as Christians are no longer related to Adam and the flesh, but to Christ and the Holy Spirit.