by leaps and bounds

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit (Romans 8:1).

Freedom is a wonderful thing to have. Anyone who does not enjoy freedom most likely appreciates it more than many of us who are free. However, freedom of the soul, heart, mind and spirit is the greatest freedom of all. If we have Jesus in our lives, we enjoy that freedom. Let us look at what it means to be free in Jesus.

Salvation comes when we believe in and act upon the fact that Jesus is our only way to be saved. The Book of Romans explains this:

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel, For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:14-17).

Being free means that we have heard- and gladly received- the Word of God. There is no hesitancy in us to believe that Jesus died and rose again for our eternal salvation. John 3:18 says it well:” He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

Being free means we are no longer bound by our sins. Our past is forgiven and forgotten by God Himself. The following scriptures are sources of rejoicing for those of us who are born again:

I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins (Isaiah 43:25).

He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us (Psalm 103:10-12).

Do we still have the potential to sin? Of course we do- simply because we have a free will. Satan will tempt us when we are trying to do our best for God. In Romans 7:21, the Apostle Paul said, “I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.” However, we now have the power of God in our lives to resist Satan and defeat the temptations that we face. Romans 6:14 says, “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”

Titus 2:11-12 speaks of the role grace has in helping us to live lives of holiness:

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.

Being free means that if the One who has every right to condemn us- doesn’t condemn us- no one else can either. Others may speak judgemental words, but the judgment of men will not stand. Isaiah 50:9 says, “Behold, the Lord God will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? Lo, they shall wax old as a garment: the moth shall eat them up.”

Jesus is the only one who died for our sins; Jesus is the only one worthy to condemn us. Romans 8:34 states it clearly: “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Notice- Jesus is not accusing us before God; Jesus is interceding for us before God.

It is not only what we know, but who we know, that brings us freedom. John 8:32 tells us that we shall know the truth and the truth will make us free. Scripture is plain about the fact that Jesus is the absolute embodiment of truth. Jesus Himself declared: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

Know Jesus; know truth. Know Jesus; know freedom.

This is what it means to be free. This is the greatest freedom we can ever enjoy!

Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.

Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children  — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter  — Breanna. 

Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.

Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is not wise to ask such questions (Ecclesiastes 7:10).

“Remember the good old days.” How often have we heard this phrase? Were the “old days” always that good?

If Christians will be honest- and certainly they should be- they will admit that many of the former days were lived in the bondage of sin. Those days were definitely not good days.

We often hear the phrase, “Have a great day.” This is a positive statement that reflects a real truth. If we are truly converted, today is a great day. In fact, it is the absolute best day.

Consider the truth contained in Ephesians 2:1-3:

“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.”

Notice how those days really were. We were dead in our sins. We were following the ways of this world and the ways of Satan himself. We had no self discipline- allowing our desires to control us. We were deserving of God’s wrath. Do those sound like “good old days”?

Today is in fact the best day because it is the day of salvation. II Corinthians 6:2 says, “…I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the day of salvation.” Anyone who has not given their lives to God can do so today. Those who already have become Christians enjoy the privilege of living today in the assurance of God’s great salvation.

Today is the best day because we can seek the Lord. Isaiah 55:6 tells us to seek the Lord while He may be found and to call upon Him while He is near. James 4:8 gives us a condition and a promise, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you…” All we have to do is approach God sincerely and He will meet with us. Any day that we can get closer to God is a good day.

So, every day has its challenges for all of us. Obviously, we have to deal with the good and the bad aspects of living in this world. However, if we are Christians, we are in this world but not of this world. Today is the best day because we are saved and we know the One who holds tomorrow.

Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.

Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children  — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter  — Breanna. 

Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.

Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God (Psalm 146:5).

Do you remember the term, “Happiness is…” from the Peanuts cartoon years ago? Linus was one of the characters in the cartoon. Happiness to him was a warm blanket to carry with him wherever he went. That blanket represented security.

Our happiness is not to be based on homes, money, popularity or position. Those things cannot bring lasting security. However, knowing God does give us real security.

Security in God is our true source of happiness. Let us examine why this is true.

When we truly know God we are happy because our search is over. Deuteronomy 4:35 says, “Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the Lord he is God; there is none else beside him.” Recognizing His sovereignty, we seek to meet His requirements cited in Micah 6:8- do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with Him.

The tendency to trust material things to make us happy fades when we know God. “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” (Psalm 24:1) Our provision comes from God- the owner of all things. I Corinthians 6:19-20 tells us we are not our own because we are bought with a price. Think about it! God owns everything and we are bought with a price. As God’s children, we know He is going to provide for us. Surely that should lift tons of worry off of our shoulders

Not only do we have His provision, we always have His help. Psalm 40:17 says, “But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.” He constantly thinks about us and is always ready to come to our defense. You see, he wants us to know we are safe in Him. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (I Timothy 1:7)

Knowing God we know what we should be pursuing. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Priority is everything. Our first priority is knowing Him. Everything else will fall into place.

Linus had his blanket. Charlie Brown put his trust in Lucy to not pull the football away from him just when he was ready to kick it. By the way, his trust was misplaced because she pulled it away every time. We have God who is all powerful and all knowing to keep us secure. That is what true happiness is.

Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.

Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children  — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter  — Breanna. 

Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise (Psalm 51:17).

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4).

Christianity, to be truly embraced, must be accepted for what it really is. Christianity is more than religion- it is a way of life that seeks to please God. Three essential elements can be noted to experience fulfillment in the Christian life.

The first element is a tender heart. A tender heart toward God makes us teachable and pliable to His will. A tender heart toward others compels us to try our best to win them to the Lord.

The second element is calloused knees. This doesn’t mean literal callouses; it means the spiritual discipline to pray much. Through prayer we worship God, intercede for others and draw closer to God ourselves.

The third element is righteous lives. As sinners we lived to please ourselves. Now we live to please God and to be examples to others around us.

Let us take a closer look at tender hearts, calloused knees and righteous lives. Remember, if Christianity is to be truly embraced, we must consider these elements to be of utmost importance.

At conversion, the Lord takes the heart hardened by sin and creates a heart that is tender and can honestly feel for others. Ezekiel 36:25-26 says, “Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean; from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.” Notice, sin is absolutely cleansed. However, salvation also includes changing the heart so that it is pliable before God. Simply put, our hearts break because of the things that break the heart of God.

Mark 6:34 says, “And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.” It takes a tender heart to be moved by compassion. That is the very nature of our Savior. Jesus wants us to have hearts that really care- just like Him.

Calloused knees refer to prayer that is an integral part of our walk with God. Prayer is our time of worship and drawing near to God. We pray knowing that prayer makes a difference. James 5:16 tells us: “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” Prayer really does change things.

Then there is the final element- righteous lives. According to Hebrews 12:14 holiness is God’s standard for His people: “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” Living right before others glorifies God. People need to see what Christianity really is- God expects us to be the examples for them.

The Christian life is a wonderful way of living. It certainly challenges us when we endeavor to maintain tender hearts, calloused knees and righteous lives.

Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.

Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children  — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter  — Breanna. 

Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23).

He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life (I John 5:12).

Jesus declared, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” This statement embodies pure, simple truth.

Satan is the thief who desires to steal our salvation, kill our opportunity to really live and to destroy our souls. Jesus wants us to not only exist- He wants us to thrive. Abundant life can be ours- life worth living here and eternity in Heaven when this life is over.

Notice there is only one source of life. It cannot be found in anyone or anything else. When we allow Jesus into our lives, we have life in us.

Without Jesus, we are like dead men walking. Scripture is clear- the wages of sin is death. While we live in our sins, we spiritually die here and miss out on eternity with God in the future. The following verses attest to this fact:

The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead (Proverbs 21:16).

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1).

We must see that there is an empty place in our lives that only Jesus can fill.

Without Him, we cannot know what it is to truly live. In 2019, Jeremy Camp released the song- Dead Man Walking. The following words from his song address this issue well:

I was a dead man walking
Until I was a man walking with you.
I was a blind man falling
Until I felt the life you’re calling me to.
Pulling me out of the darkness and
Pulling me out of the lies;
Putting the beat in my heart again;
I was a dead man walking
Until you loved this dead man walking back to life.

Sometimes we become so complicated in our theology that we forget this simple truth- Jesus came that we might have life in us. I Peter 3:18 says He took our place: “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.”

II Corinthians 5:21 says He took our punishment: “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

Then the really good news is that He rose again and is now everything we need to live victoriously. Contemplate the words of I Corinthians 1:30, “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.”

Our Savior is alive today. He lives to keep us alive in Him. According to Romans 8:34- even now- He is interceding for us: “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”

Notice the Apostle Paul said, “It is Christ that died, rather is risen again.” In our terminology we can say, “Jesus was dead, but He is very much alive now.”

Aren’t you glad that, because of Jesus, we have life in us?

Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.

Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children  — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter  — Breanna. 

Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.