While we have liberty in Christ, the apostle Paul quickly adds that stronger Christians are responsible for ensuring their freedom isn’t causing weaker believers to stumble. Paul calls this type of humble and selfless behavior beautiful—the mark of a mature believer. In today’s devotional, Dr. Michael Youssef explains our responsibility in the family of God.
If you would like more insight into today’s devotional topic, watch or listen to Dr. Michael Youssef’s sermon From Valley to Victory, Part 18: LISTEN NOW | WATCH NOW
What awaits the believer after this life? And how does our eternal future impact our lives today? In his new book Heaven Awaits, Dr. Michael Youssef dispels misconceptions about the believer’s eternal home and articulates the blessings, majesty, and reality of heaven as displayed in Scripture. As you dig into God’s promises for your future in Christ, you’ll be lifted up and empowered to persevere today with joy in your hope that will never disappoint. Request your copy today for your gift of any amount!
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[00:00:00] Freedom, Not to Sin by Dr. Michael Youssef
[00:00:13] While we have liberty in Christ, in Romans 14, the apostle Paul is quick to add that stronger
[00:00:20] Christians have a responsibility to ensure their freedom isn't causing weaker believers
[00:00:25] to stumble. Paul calls this type of humble and selfless behavior beautiful, the mark of
[00:00:31] a mature believer. Christ ransomed us from the bondage of our fleshly nature, not so that
[00:00:37] we could live any way we want to, but so that we could make every decision with careful consideration
[00:00:43] to what brings Christ the most glory. This gives us the ultimate freedom, freedom
[00:00:49] not to sin. If any of our actions cause someone else to stumble, we don't do it. That's serving
[00:00:56] our brothers and sisters in Christ well. That's true liberty. Our goal is to emulate Jesus,
[00:01:03] the one who unites us, the one who, though fully God, gave up his splendor, glory and
[00:01:09] freedom to become a humble servant and to do his Father's will. So when you're tempted
[00:01:15] to say, I'm tired of serving my family and my church and my neighborhood, look to Jesus.
[00:01:22] Focusing on Jesus means you're willing to lay down your life for a friend. It means you're
[00:01:27] willing and free to sacrifice your comfort, preferences and pleasures, because that's
[00:01:33] what he did for us. Let's pray together. Lord, open our eyes by Your Spirit to
[00:01:39] ways in which we may be causing a fellow believer to stumble, grant us humility and freedom to
[00:01:46] sacrifice our preferences to build them up and love them well. We pray this in the name
[00:01:52] of Jesus. Amen.
[00:01:55] What awaits the believer after this life? And how does our eternal future impact our
[00:02:00] lives today? In his new book, Heaven Awaits, Dr. Michael Yusef dispels misconceptions
[00:02:07] about the believer's eternal home and articulates Heaven's blessings, majesty and the reality
[00:02:13] of Heaven shared in Scripture. As you dig into God's promises and understand your eternal
[00:02:19] future in Christ, you'll be empowered to persevere whatever you face today. Order your
[00:02:25] copy today at LTW.org for your gift of any amount. Heaven Awaits.
[00:02:33] To take a deeper dive into today's devotional topic, check the show notes for links to additional
[00:02:38] resources. And while you're there, subscribe to the My Devotional podcast so you never
[00:02:44] miss an episode. My Devotional is a ministry of leading the way with Dr. Michael Yusef.
[00:02:51] To learn more, visit LTW.org today.