Set Free to Live Beautifully (Pt 2 of Living a Beautiful Life)
This is Part 2 of “Living a Beautiful Life,” a 3-part devotional series exploring how we walk in beauty through surrender, Spirit-led living, and trust.
The way we remain true to God, and flee from our sinful desires, is to go to God who is beauty Himself. He generously gives us every perfect gift—bringing us from death to life through His truth, so that we might become living sacrifices. And not just a living sacrifice, but one of ALL that He created.
Since everything He created came from Himself, that means He invites us to become like Him. We were made in his image originally, in Genesis 1:26-30. After the fall, our natures became warped in our deadly sin. Our physical appearance and bodily shape remained the same, but now He offers redemption for our very natures to represent Him.
For everyone who does evil deeds hates the light and does not come to the light, so that their deeds will not be exposed. But the one who practices the truth comes to the light, so that it may be plainly evident that his deeds have been done in God
john 3:19-21
A beautiful life is one lived in and through that redemption. Through that grace and truth. You can’t do that while still going back to the desires of your flesh. Just as John reminds us that truth brings us into the light, Paul shows us in Romans 8 how the Spirit empowers us to walk in that light daily.
Life in the Spirit, Not the Flesh
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the life-giving Spirit in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death...
…For those who live according to the flesh have their outlook shaped by the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their outlook shaped by the things of the Spirit. For the outlook of the flesh is death, but the outlook of the Spirit is life and peace, because the outlook of the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to the law of God, nor is it able to do so…
…So then, brothers and sisters, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh (for if you live according to the flesh, you will die), but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery leading again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba, Father.”
Romans 8:1,5-7,12-15 (Emphasis mine)
We live a beautiful life through and in Christ and the Holy Spirit, because we have been set free to do so! Not because we have to… but because we get to! Christ changes the desires of our hearts if we live in the Truth and walk in His light.
If we are struggling to desire the things of God, have we in some way slipped back into the shadows? Is there a small inconsistency that is dragging me down?
I’ll post again on Friday about how living under Christ’s Lordship and walking in His grace creates a beautiful life and why that matters. Hope to see you there!
-Liz
