GENUINE FREEDOM
22nd Aug 2018
I understand that experts in detecting forgery of bank notes need to concentrate their efforts and hone their skills by constantly examining the real genuine bank notes, so that when they come across the forgeries they can spot them quickly, get them removed and find the culprits.
This led me to think about James 1:23-25, “Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in the mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it - he will be blessed is all he does.”
The challenge to each of us is, how intently are we examining the “perfect law that gives freedom”? Are we bringing our lives into line with God’s Word on a daily basis. A friend of ours, who we were with yesterday, told of how he had been challenging a man with many difficult life issues as to what was his daily spiritual input. “I haven’t got time to do that every day.” was the gist of his reply.
How are we going to live lives of genuine freedom, peace and victory if we do not spend priority time examining God’s word? Jesus said to his disciples, “If you continue in my word, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32)
Every day, forgery experts are carefully examining genuine bank notes so that they are ready to pick out the duds. I find as I read the Bible on a daily basis that there are constant challenges that keep me on track. It may be an encouragement I need or a word of correction, but there is always something.
by Charles Sibthorpe
