REDEMPTION
I Corinthians 6:20 For you are bought with a price: therefore glorify
God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
Redemption implies being freed from slavery. Do you ever think of yourself as a slave? To money? To greed – wanting to have everything your neighbor or friend has? To physical satisfaction – sex or gluttony? I doubt that we want to think of ourselves as slaves. But it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that we have already been freed from sin and slavery because of the price that was paid by Jesus on the cross.
How does that translate into everyday life? Does giving to others by supporting our wonderful church family and the many local organizations that provide care for our less fortunate make up for or overcome the desire for wealth? Can we live minimally rather than being consumed by accumulating things? Recently, I saw a book advertised about cleaning out before you die so that your relatives don’t have to do it for you! And this cleaning can (and should) take place at any time in your life – you don’t have to wait until you’re 80. It makes all those things we’ve accumulated have less value for us. Do we develop relationships that involve commitment, both physical and spiritual? And are we able to avoid overdoing it, especially in eating and drinking, so that our focus can be on the spiritual side of life that provides balance and purpose?
I challenge you during Lent to accept the redemption that frees you from slavery to whatever temptations you struggle with. By the grace of this redemption, may you feel more free to live fully into life with God in Christ.
Carole Kimmel
Redemption implies being freed from slavery. Do you ever think of yourself as a slave? To money? To greed – wanting to have everything your neighbor or friend has? To physical satisfaction – sex or gluttony? I doubt that we want to think of ourselves as slaves. But it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that we have already been freed from sin and slavery because of the price that was paid by Jesus on the cross.
How does that translate into everyday life? Does giving to others by supporting our wonderful church family and the many local organizations that provide care for our less fortunate make up for or overcome the desire for wealth? Can we live minimally rather than being consumed by accumulating things? Recently, I saw a book advertised about cleaning out before you die so that your relatives don’t have to do it for you! And this cleaning can (and should) take place at any time in your life – you don’t have to wait until you’re 80. It makes all those things we’ve accumulated have less value for us. Do we develop relationships that involve commitment, both physical and spiritual? And are we able to avoid overdoing it, especially in eating and drinking, so that our focus can be on the spiritual side of life that provides balance and purpose?
I challenge you during Lent to accept the redemption that frees you from slavery to whatever temptations you struggle with. By the grace of this redemption, may you feel more free to live fully into life with God in Christ.
Carole Kimmel
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