Freedom is being out in the open, it is having boldness, nothing to hide. That is what Paul is talking about. The man who is free is one who does not have any reputation to defend, no image to hide behind, nothing to preserve about himself. He can be himself. That is what freedom is. Everywhere, today, we hear this held up as what people are longing for. People want to "be themselves." "I've got to be me," we hear, and there is nothing wrong with that. God wants you to be you too. The only thing wrong is the way we do it. We are being taught in the world that the way to be "me" is to think about "my" advantage, "my" efforts, and defend and demand them.
The Word of God teaches us it is quite another process. The way to be yourself, to have freedom, is not to be afraid to look at all the evil that is possible in your heart and in your life, because you have another basis on which you can receive the acceptance and approval of God. It is a gift to you. It is faith continually accepting anew the gift of righteousness, of already being pleasing to God, and, on that basis, serving him out of a heart of gratitude for what you already have.
Do you see the difference? You know you do not deserve it, but, nevertheless, you have it. God's basis of deliverance is to give you the gift of full acceptance, of righteousness. You do not have to earn it at all, and your performance is not going to affect it. You already have it. When you start looking at the One who is doing this in your life, the Lord Jesus, and beholding him with all your veils taken away so you are not afraid to look at your own evil capacity, then a wonderful thing happens. Paul says,
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another. (2 Corinthians 3:18 RSV)
Without even knowing that you are doing it, just by rejoicing in what you have, and serving the Lord who gave it to you, you suddenly discover -- and other people will discover -- that you are becoming a loving person. And love is the fulfilling of the Law; the very demand that God made in the Law, which you tried so hard to fulfill by your self-effort, will be fulfilled without you even realizing it when you begin to love out of the grace and the forgiveness of God.
2006-12-12 05:15:11
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answer #1
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answered by Bruce 3
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If you want the world to remember you in a negative way: become president of the usa.
If you want to world to remember you in positive way, well take a look
at Muhammad Yunus - he has won the nobel peace prize. Could give u an Idea.
What I am doing is raising a open minded child and hope she will make her mark on the world.
2006-12-12 05:40:43
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answer #2
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answered by eidunotno 3
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Carl Sagan was once asked by a college student after a lecture: "If there is no God, then how do we find a meaning for life?" Carl looked at the student and simply said, "Do something meaningful."
2006-12-12 05:01:48
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answer #3
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answered by Anonymous
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Being sensitive to human feelings and doing what you think is right, whether the world knows you or not, you know yourself the best!
2006-12-12 05:01:15
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answer #4
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answered by thachu5 5
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That's easy: Do something extremely good or extremely bad. But if I was you, I wouldn't worry about this earth. My real treasure is in heaven. Jesus said: "Whoever welcomes this little child in My name welcomes Me. And whoever welcomes Me welcomes Him who sent Me. For whoever is least among you--this one is great." Luke 9:48
2006-12-12 05:02:53
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answer #5
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answered by Pulga 2
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ability to withstand the rigoures of the the world offer to me
2006-12-12 05:02:43
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answer #6
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answered by hari prasad 5
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Wisdom.
2006-12-12 05:01:57
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answer #7
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answered by t a m i l 6
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By knowing ourselves, we know the world.
2006-12-12 05:02:45
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answer #8
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answered by ssss 3
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Be who u are.
2006-12-12 04:57:27
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answer #9
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answered by Anonymous
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Do good and reject evil. Fame is pure vanity.
2006-12-12 05:18:28
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answer #10
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answered by ? 6
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