We have had several discussions, and Michael has been teaching about what it means to be in Christ, to walk in Christ, and to have the mind of Christ.
When we are in Christ and have the mind of Christ, we take on His personality and character. It may seem difficult to understand at first, but let's explore what Paul says in his letter to the Romans.
Paul starts by assuring us that there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.
Through Christ, we are set free from the vicious cycle of sin and death. We are saved from the grasp of sin by knowing God's commandments, even though we may not be able to perfectly keep them.
A different plan
God had a different plan to save us. He sent His own Son, Jesus, in human form, to become a sacrifice for our sins.
By doing this, He destroyed sin's control over us. Sin no longer has power over us.
Now, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can obey God's laws and no longer be controlled by our old sinful nature.
Those who follow the Holy Spirit find themselves doing things that please God, leading to a life of peace.
On the other hand, following our old nature leads to death.
As Paul writes in verse 14, all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
So, if you are a lady, you are a daughter of God.
Not live in fear or bondage
We should not live in fear or bondage but behave as God's own children, calling Him Father, for His Holy Spirit assures us that we are truly His children.
And since we are His children, we will share in His treasures.
Everything that God gives to His Son Jesus is also ours.
However, if we want to share in His glory, we must also be willing to share in His suffering.
We are partakers in all that Jesus accomplished, both in His glory and in His suffering.
It's important to understand that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ.
But if we reject Jesus and refuse to accept Him, we bring condemnation upon ourselves.
We become enslaved to sin and live under condemnation.
We have been set free
However, because of Jesus, we have been set free from this cycle of condemnation and bondage.
Sometimes, we make mistakes and we must learn from them.
Suffering can also teach us obedience.
The mistakes and sufferings we experience can make us stronger.
Therefore, we should not condemn others based on their mistakes and weaknesses.
It is important not to judge and condemn people, especially based on our own mistakes and weaknesses.
Instead, we should learn from our mistakes and share our experiences to help others avoid making the same errors.
Unfortunately, many people, including speakers and ministers, tend to condemn others because they themselves are bound by their own struggles.
They project their own issues onto others, assuming everyone has the same problems.
Preventing them from experiencing the freedom that Jesus provided
This mindset is detrimental and prevents them from experiencing the freedom that Jesus provided through His sacrifice on the cross.
Consequently, they unknowingly place others under unnecessary condemnation.
They might tell you that you are not good enough, that you haven't prayed or fasted enough, or that you are too young or inexperienced.
These words are filled with condemnation.
However, Jesus came to destroy this condemnation.
We can learn from our mistakes and weaknesses without being condemned.
It's important to understand that learning from mistakes and experiencing suffering can make us stronger.
Doubt of Aaron's authority
In the Bible, there is an interesting story in Numbers 17.
The people of Israel doubted Aaron's authority and complained against him.
But God showed His approval of Aaron by causing his rod to bud and blossom with ripe almonds.
This miracle demonstrated that condemnation against God's chosen leaders is rebellion against Him.
It is catastrophic for both the individuals and the church.
Therefore, we must resist and reject condemnation from people.
We should never let evil thoughts or condemnation enter our hearts. Instead, we should rebuke them in the name of Jesus and cast them away.
It is crucial to keep our minds focused on Christ and protect ourselves with the helmet of salvation and the armor of God.
Condemnation in the Church
Condemnation can come in many forms, even within the church.
People may condemn others for their worship style, clothing choices, or even the translation of the Bible they prefer.
It is important to resist this condemnation and not let it affect us. Instead, we should love and cover the sins of others, just as God's love covers our own sins.
Remember, we cannot transform people by condemning them.
Love and acceptance are more effective tools for bringing people back to Christ.
Let us not burden others with heavy condemnation, but instead guide them with love and help them grow in their faith.
One important aspect we would like to address is the tendency for people to bring judgment and condemnation towards others, especially when it comes to cultural differences.
Different cultures
We see this happening not only in the context of dance but in various areas of life as well.
It is unfortunate that certain dances or expressions of culture may be misunderstood or criticized simply because they are unfamiliar to certain individuals or communities.
For instance, if you were to bring an African dance to Norway, some people may react negatively and immediately label it as inappropriate or even sinful.
This kind of response stems from a lack of understanding and a fear of the unknown.
It is essential that we approach cultural differences with an open mind and strive to learn and appreciate one another's unique expressions.
In the Bible, we find an example of King David dancing before the Lord with all his heart.
Although some people condemned him, he danced in joy and reverence for God.
However, it is important to note that we should exercise wisdom and discernment when it comes to our expressions of worship.
Dancing naked or half-naked in church, for example, may not be appropriate and can be seen as a form of rebellion.
It is worth mentioning that in the past, we faced challenges in our ministry when we tried to modernize and bring families together.
Some older members resisted this change because they preferred having a separate space away from their spouses.
However, it is important to remember that both men and women can be filled with the Holy Spirit and express their faith in different ways.
Individual relationship with God
It is not about gender roles but about the individual relationship with God.
Unfortunately, during that time, we faced condemnation from certain individuals who disagreed with our approach.
They sent secret emails and attacked us, causing distress and even leading to depression.
However, in the midst of this dark period, I had a vision that reminded me to trust in Jesus and not give up.
Through prayer and relying on God's strength, we were able to overcome these challenges.
Entrust other to God's care
It is crucial to remember that we should not condemn others but rather entrust them to God's care.
Instead of judging and criticizing, let us love one another and pray for those who may have misunderstandings or disagreements.
As Christians, we are called to follow the example of Jesus, who showed compassion and forgiveness to all.
In conclusion, we encourage you to embrace cultural differences and strive to understand and appreciate one another's unique expressions.
Remember that in Christ, there is no condemnation, and we are called to love and support one another.
May the Lord bless you abundantly and strengthen your faith as you journey with Him. Have a blessed evening and a wonderful week ahead.
Amen.