Spiritual truth: Bondage or liberty, which?

FREEDOM!

The Apostle Paul (Whom I consider one to have come the closest to being like Jesus --- conformed to His image) speaks about idolatry! Idol worship and the evil practices of such.

In the old testament, God warned the Israelites time and time again to remain separate. He did not want the Israelites intermarrying, as Solomon did, and as a result compromise.

We are NOT living in old testament times... We are not living through the law, we are now in the age of grace.

Moses came with the law, with works, and with ceremonies; but Christ came without law, or works, or ceremonies, giving grace and righteousness, remission of sins and eternal life: 'For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ' (St. John i.17)." 1

Christ satisfied the righteous requirements of the law.

Now back to pagan practices...

Is Christmas a pagan practice? If we celebrated Jesus' birthday on January 7, March 10, or any other day... would it be wrong?

If we celebrate His resurrection from the dead, are we wrong?

Does not the Word say, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.

Colossians 2:20 Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules:

1 Timothy 4:3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.

Hebrews 13:9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by ceremonial foods, which are of no value to those who eat them.

I also like Gill's exposition of Colossians 2: http://gill.biblecommenter.com/colossian%E2%80%A6

Here's an excerpt:

"Let no man therefore judge you,.... Since they were complete in Christ, had everything in him, were circumcised in him; and particularly since the handwriting of the law was blotted out, and torn to pieces through the nails of the cross of Christ..."

Galatians

5:1 It Was For Freedom That Christ Set Us Free

"Everything is permissible for me"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"--but I will not be mastered by anything.

Galatians 5:1-8: Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. 2Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. 3For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. 5For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. 7Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? 8This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you.

I conclude that every activity that we participate in, if done for the glory of God, and honors Him, is acceptable unto God our Savior.

I have NOT intermarried and have yoked myself incorrectly. I have not sacrificed a child on an altar, or built altar's to foreign gods.

Therefore, it is the heart's intention. The secular world cannot please God, nor does it attempt to.

Bondage can be a lot of fun if it's done right.

Any man who pledges allegiance to a country, king, or god loses a little bit of his individuality and becomes a slave.