Whether God’s man likes it or not, we live in “glass houses,” meaning people are watching our behavior to see if we live consistent with our words, beliefs and reputations. A little Google search will lead you to find several “Christian” men giving our faith a bad name because they were involved in scandals and doing mental and theological gymnastics to justify what they were doing with the Bible. Evil loves that kind of self deception and encourages it.
Just like in war where you learn from the classic strategic blunders in history so your side doesn’t repeat them, I think there’s a lesson here for God’s man. It’s this: God’s plan to have Jesus sacrificed on the cross for our sin and rise again sets you and me “free” from sin. But just like a prisoner who has his sentence commuted must learn to live as a free man and not return to his old life so must God’s man. We too have to learn how to live in our spiritual freedom.
If a prisoner has not been ‘rehabilitated’ (or know how to live like a free man), then he will be tempted to make bad decisions, reunite with old friends, re-engage in old habits, and ultimately cause even more damage to himself and loved ones. He may, in fact, prefer to end up back to jail, where there’s safety in the boundaries, parameters and limited freedom.
If you have accepted Christ, and have been set free from sin, now you have to ask yourself, “is my life giving ‘Christianity’ a good or bad name?” “Have I decided to be a follower of Jesus?” and more importantly “Do I intend to take it all the way?” People are watching. They want to know if you have integrity spiritually or if you are like most “Las Vegas” Christians: what happens outside of church stays outside of church.
So, how do you live a life set free?
Stand Firm
Look at Galatians 5:1, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery (to sin).”
Confess Your Weaknesses
And when tempted, admit your weaknesses so God can use them. Remember 2 Corinthians 12:9, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
Know Yourself
The enemy has a “scouting report” on you. Be prepared, with an honest examination of your buttons that enemy wants to push to put you back in sin. 1 Peter 5:8-9 says “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith…”
Love God with Heart, Mind, Soul
I think many of God’s men overlook the most important commandment God gave us. In Matthew 22:37, Jesus says the most important commandment is “Love the Lord your God with your heart, soul, and mind.” If you are loving the Lord with all your heart, mind and soul, there is going to be very little lee-way for sin, because all your focus and attention is on loving God.
I challenge you to love God with all your heart, mind and soul and see what happens.
In Matthew 22:39, Jesus says the second most important commandment is to love others as much as yourself. Think it’s possible to give Christianity a bad name if you love others as much as yourself? It’s impossible.
Living in the “glass house,” means your faith and what you believe are being examined by others. I encourage you to live a set-free life by seeking God and a relationship with His son.
KENNY LUCK is an ECPA Platinum Award Winning Author, who has authored and co-authored 20 books for men. Kenny is the president and founder of Every Man Ministries. As the former men’s pastor at Saddleback Church in California and current leadership pastor at Crossline Community Church, Kenny has found the proven way to improve men’s ministries around the world. Sleeping Giant is this blueprint, and gives men the tools they need to lead and understand their own men’s ministry. Watch Kenny’s teachings at EveryManMinistries.com and start your men’s group today!
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