Author: Texas Gospel

Understanding True Christian Liberty

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RICHARD CORDER

I believe that Christian freedom represents one of the most misunderstood concepts in the life of faith. When believers receive salvation through Christ, they gain liberty from the burden of the Mosaic law, yet this freedom comes with responsibilities that many fail to recognize.

The law of Moses, IRS Images, 2025

The law of Moses created a heavy weight for those who tried to follow it. Its principles remained just and good, but people could not obey it consistently. This constant failure led to frustration and discouragement. The law served a specific purpose: It was meant to reveal human sinfulness and point people toward their need for Christ. It functioned as a teacher, showing individuals they could not keep the commandments on their own and needed a saviour.

Living under law-based religion never brings lasting joy or satisfaction. Those who tried found only temporary gratification that quickly turned to disappointment when they failed again. This struggle appears clearly in Scripture, where one writer describes the internal battle of wanting to do right but doing wrong instead. The desire existed, but the ability to consistently follow through did not.

When someone turns to Christ, everything changes. Believers no longer try to obey an external set of rules. Instead, they receive an internal guide. The Holy Spirit dwells within them. This inner law provides direction and strength that external commandments never could. While the flesh still creates problems and causes stumbling, the Spirit offers power to live differently.

However, some people misunderstand what Christian liberty means. They believe that because they are saved by grace, sin no longer matters. This thinking represents a dangerous error. True believers cannot continue living in sin without conviction. The Spirit within them creates discomfort when they disobey. Those who claim to follow Christ yet persist in wrongdoing without any sense of guilt should examine whether their faith is genuine.

Once and for all
The Savior came to give his life away
To save the lost
To fight and win the war of love and hate
He paid the cost that only he himself could ever pay
He bled and died upon a cross once and for all

Freedom in Christ means liberation from several things. First, believers are freed from the penalty of sin, which is death. Second, they gain freedom from the power of sin through daily trust in Christ. Third, they no longer live under the Mosaic law, which could only expose sin but never forgive it. The law showed people God’s standards, but righteousness comes only through faith in Jesus.

This liberty creates a desire for holiness and a hatred of sin. True believers do not tolerate ongoing disobedience in their lives. When they fail, they repent quickly and turn away from wrongdoing. Christian maturity shows itself in how rapidly someone abandons sin after falling into it.

Yet Christian freedom involves more than just avoiding evil. Liberty in Christ means believers are now free to serve others. Salvation includes this purpose, to serve God and fellow believers. One key sign of spiritual maturity is how much a person serves in the church community. True spirituality shows itself not through impressive speaking or extensive Bible knowledge alone, but through practical service to others.

Sin makes serving impossible because it represents the ultimate selfish behaviour. Sin focuses entirely on personal satisfaction and desires, with no concern for other people. When Christ delivers someone from sin, this self-centred dynamic changes. Believers begin to think about others and look for ways to help them.

Jesus demonstrated this principle clearly with his disciples. He explained that true greatness comes through service, not through seeking position or recognition. Though he deserved to be served, he chose to serve others. His followers must do the same.

Christian love for one another serves as evidence to the world that believers belong to Christ. People watching the church should see a different way of relating. Christian liberty means freedom from the law’s condemnation and freedom to love and serve others through the Spirit’s power. The heart of what it means to follow Christ is not following endless rules, but living by an internal guide who empowers believers to love as they have been loved.

I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another.”

John 13:34-35

Living Beyond Fear Through the Power of Christ

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STEVE MORGAN

The message of the gospel reminds believers that Jesus Christ is both eternal and personal. He existed before creation, yet chose to live among humanity in love and humility. Before the world began, He knew the cost of redemption. He knew that He would give His life so others might be free from sin. His death on the cross and His resurrection are the foundation of Christian hope. Every act of worship and communion points back to this truth: salvation and forgiveness come only through Him.

The bread and the cup of communion serve as reminders of what Jesus did. His broken body and shed blood paid for every sin without exception. There are no limits to His forgiveness; nothing is beyond His power to cleanse. Because of His sacrifice, believers are protected and secure. The blood of Jesus acts as a covering over the soul, something even the enemy cannot touch without God’s permission. And salvation is not something we can earn or maintain on our own. It is a gift that continues by the strength of Christ’s blood until the day we see Him face to face.

The Bible teaches that while salvation is secure, many Christians still live in fear. Paul’s words to Timothy remind us that fear is not from God. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.” Paul wrote these words from prison to a young man struggling with anxiety and discouragement. Timothy needed to be reminded that fear weakens our faith, while confidence in God restores our strength.

Fear is one of the main tools Satan uses against believers. He cannot take away salvation, but he can steal the peace and joy that come with it. Fear clouds our judgment, fills our minds with “what if” questions, and causes us to focus on the negative. It often begins when we see others suffer and assume the same will happen to us. The enemy uses these comparisons to make us worry and doubt God’s care.

Another way fear grows is through constant exposure to negative information. Many people live attached to screens and news feeds that only increase anxiety. Fear spreads through what we hear and see, and before long, it becomes part of our thinking. God’s Spirit urges us to disconnect from what feeds fear and instead focus on what builds peace and faith.

If God is not the source of fear, then it must come from another place. Satan uses fear to confuse and deceive. It pushes us toward unwise decisions made out of panic rather than trust. Fear makes people act irrationally, doubt the truth of Scripture, and believe lies that contradict God’s Word. It can even paralyze us, keeping us from moving forward or doing what God has called us to do.

But fear also exposes what we trust most. If our confidence is in money, health, or reputation, those things can fail. Confidence built on God’s promises, however, remains steady because He never changes.

Paul reminded Timothy that true confidence does not come from our own strength but from knowing who God is. “I know whom I have believed,” Paul said, “and I am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that day.” God is able. When we are unsure, He remains certain. When we are weak, His strength sustains us.

God’s purpose guides everything in a believer’s life. Even when His plans are unclear, He works all things for good for those who love Him. Trusting that purpose allows us to face uncertainty with peace. Faith does not remove all fear, but it gives courage to stand firm despite it. His promises are the believer’s anchor as the world changes constantly and His Word stays the same.

One day, every tear will be wiped away, and the struggles of this life will be forgotten in the presence of Christ. Until that day comes, followers of Jesus are called to live with faith and confidence, not anxiety. Each day is an opportunity to trust God’s power, rest in His purpose, and hold on to His promises.

For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.

2 Timothy 1:7

Living with confidence in God’s promise

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CONNIE WILLIAMS

We can approach God like a child approaches his father. Our sins lie on the ground like a broken chain. IRS Images, 2025

Fear does not help love grow. If someone lived in fear that their partner might leave them for small mistakes, they could not feel close to them. They would be nervous all the time. In the same way, a person cannot feel close to God if they are always afraid He will push them away. The message of the Gospel gives a different picture. Those who trust in Jesus can know they are held safe by Him. This confidence does not encourage wrong behaviour. It encourages obedience because believers know God is a loving Father, not someone waiting for them to fail.

Jesus said that His followers belong to Him and that no one can pull them from His care. If a believer could still end up in hell after trusting Jesus, it would damage the honour of Christ. He promised eternal life, and He keeps His promises. Knowing this gives believers courage to face hardship. They can remember that they belong to God, and that He will not let them go.

Christians are no longer under the control of sin. Sometimes people hear that they are only human and must give in to anger, revenge, or sexual sin. Some even believe it is unhealthy to show restraint. But the Bible teaches that Christians do not have to obey these desires. God accepts people as they are when they come to Jesus, but He does not leave them unchanged. The Holy Spirit begins shaping them into a new person.

When we walk with the Lord
in the light of his word,
what a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will,
he abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey.

To stay strong, Christians must remember what God has said. Verses like those that promise eternal life can help when doubt appears. Other verses help when temptation comes. Believers can choose to use their lives to serve good instead of evil. Remember: When Jesus covered our sins with His blood, he knew every sin you ever committed. He also knew every sin you would commit from that time on.

When Jesus faced temptation in the desert, He quoted Scripture each time. Satan did not run away because the verses harmed him. He left because he saw that God’s word strengthened Jesus to keep following His Father. That is what the word of God does. It gives strength to keep choosing what is right.

At the centre of all of this is a simple question: Do you know you belong to Jesus?

Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,

Colossians 2:6

Living in the righteousness of Christ and reaching the next generation

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CHERYL QUIGG

The Psalms often speak about the difference between the righteous and the wicked. Psalm 1 says that the person who follows God’s ways is blessed, while those who reject His guidance face destruction. Psalm 112 describes what a righteous person looks like, saying he or she is someone who fears the Lord, delights in His commands, and lives with generosity, mercy, and justice. Yet Scripture also reminds us that no one is naturally righteous. Romans 3:10 says, “There is none righteous, not even one.”

This creates a problem. If no one is righteous, how can anyone live as Psalm 112 describes? The answer is found in Jesus Christ. He lived the perfect life that we could not, and He took upon Himself the punishment we deserved. Through His death, burial, and resurrection, our sins can be forgiven, and His righteousness is given to those who trust in Him. When we put our faith in Christ, we receive new life through the Holy Spirit, who helps us to live in obedience to God. Romans 5 explains that just as Adam’s sin brought death to all, Christ’s obedience brings righteousness and life to all who believe.

To live as God’s people is not simply about behaving well or attending church; it is about being transformed by Christ’s Spirit. The church exists to worship God, serve others, and bring His message to the world. Psalm 78 reminds us of the importance of teaching God’s truth to future generations. The psalmist calls the people to remember God’s mighty works and to tell their children, so they do not repeat the mistakes of the past. Faith is not passed down by accident; it must be taught intentionally.

The call to reach the next generation is not only for parents or youth leaders but for the entire church. Every believer has a part to play in guiding young people toward faith in Jesus. The next generation is not “the church of tomorrow”; they are part of the church today. Their voices, service, and faith matter now.

The Israelites often failed because they forgot what God had done for them. They grumbled, doubted, and rebelled. Their forgetfulness led to faithlessness. Psalm 78 shows how they tested God and offered only surface-level repentance. They would confess when punished but quickly returned to sin. Their biggest failure, however, was neglecting to teach their children about the Lord. When one generation remains silent about God’s truth, the next grows up without faith.

As Christians, we must not repeat this pattern. The teaching of Scripture should be central in our homes and churches. Worship and study should be grounded in God’s Word, not in personal preference. Families should remember and share stories of God’s faithfulness, both from Scripture and from their own lives. This strengthens faith and helps children understand that God is active and real.

For a church to reach the next generation effectively, it must be united. The New Testament teaches that unity is not sameness but harmony among diverse people with different gifts. When believers are divided. This ma by by opinion, tradition, or personal comfort and it weakens our witness. Paul urged the church in Ephesians 4 to make every effort to maintain unity through peace, reminding believers that there is one Lord, one faith, and one God. Unity helps the church focus on its true mission: making disciples and proclaiming Christ.

Sometimes churches lose sight of this mission by focusing on preferences instead of principles. Scripture must guide our every decision, not habit or comfort. When the church unites under God’s Word and His purpose, it can reach generations with lasting impact.

Reaching the next generation requires the whole church. Some may teach, some may mentor, others may pray or give, but everyone has a role. Even small acts like praying for a child, baking cookies for youth gatherings, or supporting a ministry, can help share Christ’s love. The goal is not simply to make good people but to lead them to salvation in Jesus.

The message of Psalm 78 is still relevant: remember what God has done, teach it faithfully, and pass it on. Faith does not continue automatically; it grows through intentional effort. The church must take this command seriously. If we fail to share the gospel, we risk raising a generation that does not know the Lord.

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you [c]always, to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:19–20

Giving Thanks Before Receiving

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AMY TURNER

The Bible teaches us to give thanks to God even before we receive what we ask for. This idea comes from the Apostle Paul, who wrote in Philippians 4:6, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your request to God.” This might seem unusual, as it suggests being thankful before receiving an answer.

Paul explains that God is like a loving father who gives good gifts to His children. Whatever God chooses to give us is always for our benefit. By giving thanks in advance, we show our trust in God’s wisdom and goodness. It also helps us focus on God’s character rather than on our immediate needs or desires. Keep in mind that God’s plans are always better than our own.

Being thankful before receiving also helps us to be content in all situations. Giving thanks in advance is not just about feeling grateful; it’s about aligning our hearts with God’s will.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7