Above the Sun: Choose freedom in Christ

by Barrett Vanlandingham
July 4, 2021 

            After 14 years, this is the last week I will be writing my column. Youth ministry has become more demanding and I will be using more of my time in that area. Our Family Life Minister, Steve Parker, will be taking my place as a columnist. He is a very experienced minister and counselor, whose column I hope you will find in the days ahead. Steve is a very creative writer who I know you will enjoy reading.

For my final article, I will be focusing on the word “freedom.” It is unlike any other because of the way it makes us feel when we hear or say it.

Today, July 4, the word “freedom” takes our minds to 1776, when the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. It made clear that the 13 colonies were no longer under the control of Great Britain.

For Christians, the word “freedom” is also important and life-changing because we are free from sin. It no longer has mastery over us. This freedom came at a high price. Jesus Christ was the perfect sacrifice, and it was by the shedding of His blood that we can be free from sin. Sadly, some people choose to live their lives in such a way that results in the forfeiture of their earthly freedoms and rights. The same is true spiritually.  In John 1, Jesus is described as the Word and a light that came into a world that did not recognize or accept Him as the Savior.

“He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:11-12).

As Americans, we have been given a lot of hard fought rights and freedoms thanks to our nation’s military. But it is possible for a U.S. citizen to reject those rights and wind up losing their freedom. This also applies to Christians. John said that by believing and receiving Jesus, Christ himself gives us the right to become God’s children. But as with any freedom or right, the receiver must do something to receive it, at the very least, show up. For instance, if the bank called and said they decided to give you a million dollars, you now have the right to become a millionaire. You did not earn it. It was a free gift. But you still have to go and get it. You had to do something. Spiritually, we have two choices: to be a child of God, or a child of the devil. Look at what John said:

“7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. 8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning… 10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother” (1 John 3:7-10).

Paul told Christians in Rome that in Christ, they are no longer slaves to sin that leads to death, but to righteousness which leads to eternal life (Romans 6). Jesus reassured those who had chosen to follow him that their commitment to his teachings will bring true freedom in this life and the life to come. “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).

Thank you, and as always, have a great week!

Above the Sun: God can help us with our secret struggles

by Barrett Vanlandingham
June 27, 2021 

            As soon as Lisa and I opened the big cardboard box sitting in our living room floor, we could plainly see that the new back porch table we had just begun to unwrap was severely damaged.

So, we took it back to the store and wheeled a replacement box up to the customer service desk. We made sure we found the nicest looking box with no visible damage. But when the store employee opened it to make sure the table was okay, we were disappointed to see it was worse than the first! So, we picked out another one. This time we chose the box that looked worse than the others. Amazing!  The table and chairs on the inside were in perfect condition. Lisa said, “Isn’t that the way life is!"

You just never know by looking at someone on the outside how damaged they may be on the inside. On an average day, this could apply to any of us. Life is filled with mountain-tops, valleys, and everything in between.

Years ago, when I managed our family’s restaurant, occasionally a job applicant would come in with bright eyes, enthusiastic, and ready to work. But in some instances, the great attitude they had just a few days before turned into someone I hadn’t seen as they caved-in to the inner turmoil they had been secretly struggling with.

In spite of the fact that Paul’s writings have had a tremendously positive impact on the work of Christ, His letters to Christians in Corinth indicate that on the inside he struggled in many ways. He describes himself with words such as “weakness and fear, with much trembling” (1 Corinthians 2:3)   “…conflicts on the outside, fears inside” (2 Corinthians 7:5).

Paul told the church in Rome that even in the midst of his continual striving to live like Christ, he was bothered by the fact that he often chose sin. But much like King David who was also very flawed emotionally, yet still goes down in history as “a man after God’s own heart,” Paul praised God for being his only hope.

“What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin” (Romans 7:24-25).

Who knows, maybe Paul’s lack of self-control was the thorn in his flesh he prayed for God to remove (2 Corinthians 12:6-10). God did not remove Paul’s affliction, but He did promise a grace that was sufficient for Paul and for us.

In Hebrews 4:15 the writer says, “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.”

It is important for us to remember that God has always used flawed people to do his will. Life on earth will always be challenging. But a life with Jesus comes with peace of mind and hope for tomorrow.

In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Have a great week!