Shackles of the World

Today, we as Christians must understand the importance of our freedom in Christ. Once we have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as our one and only Savior we have the shackles broken from this world. We are sealed once and for all with the Holy Spirit that will keep us and guide us until the day we are transformed into our new bodies. In the meantime He is training us in righteousness and holiness. The day we became Christian was not the day you saw perfected patience or love for one’s enemy. The Holy Spirit has to take us through the process of breaking the shackles of what the world has taught us for so many years. The enemy teaches us through the world standard how we are to respond in every situation and because of this the Holy Spirit has to deprogram us through God’s Word how we ought to live and respond in this world. We learn that we have a hope and that if we let go of this world and everything which tries to bind us, we will become aliens meaning that we will look different from everyone else, we will talk different from everyone else, and we live differently than everyone else!!! If we placed you in a group of people could there be a distinct difference seen in the way you live from the rest??? The world is no longer the standard and setting ourselves a little above them is not the standard either, the only standard that will not burn up under the fire is that of Jesus Christ and the Word of God!!! The Shackles are broken, no more excuses, run for the finish line!!! Have a wonderful life of freedom on purpose!!!!!

Romans 12

Living Sacrifices
1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his[b]faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Love
9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c] Do not be conceited.
17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"[d]says the Lord. 20On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."[e] 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.