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2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. Galatians 5:13-15 NIV You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. No human being on this earth was ever meant to be oppressed. However, due to arrogance, pride, selfish ambition, and even fear, some people throughout the course of history have been oppressed, misused, mistreated, mishandled, abused, and even killed. Disciples of Jesus have gone through this type of treatment since the beginning of God's kingdom; it even started in Old Testament times before the coming of the Messiah. Regardless of what mankind has done to one another over the centuries, oppression has never been and never will be a part of God's will. According to the Scriptures, God's people are called to be free, not oppressed. That freedom can only be attained through living by the Holy Spirit, not through living by man's sinful desires. When everyone within the body of Christ lives by the Holy Spirit, oppression ceases to exist. However, When God's people are oppressed, there's potential for the Spirit's fire to get quenched, leading to anger, frustration, and even rebellion. Surely, this is not the way to go. To the oppressed within the body of Christ, I say to you, in the words of God through the apostle Peter: 1 Peter 4:12-19 NIV ...do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. In addition, put yourself in a position to exist for God's glorification. When you're in touch with the Holy Spirit and live by him, you will see what God's will is for you, and you will thrive, regardless of what may be going on around you. It doesn't mean that life will be forever easy, but it means that life on this earth will be easier to bear when you're yoked with Christ. It's also important to surround yourself with people who are like-minded as you, having the same Spirit and purpose (Philippians 2:1-2). God never meant for you to go at this whole thing alone. To the oppressor, I give you this admonishment from God's word: Matthew 7:12 NIV So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Do you want to be mistreated? If not, then don't mistreat others. Do you want to be shackled and limited by other people's thinking and actions? If not, then don't shackle and limit others with yours. Do you want to be oppressed? If not, then don't oppress others. As mentioned earlier, living by the Holy Spirit will alleviate all of this. The ultimate goal for all of this is to honor God with our lives, to edify His church, and to give the lost an opportunity to be redeemed by Jesus, the only way to get to God. Let's make His ways more important in our lives than our own ways. Much love.
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