It is for freedom that Christ has set us free
Our society, especially to those who live on the edges, can be a society of division and difference, supporting those who have and trapping those who do not in a spiral of poverty that is hard to escape. Whichever political party is in power puts into place different forms of support, but it takes this and more to make a real difference in the life of someone struggling with poverty and debt and there are so many organisations and charities, including CAP, that work together and help make this real difference.
This is all part of the work of God's Kingdom, part of what it means to say that you are a child of God, to be freed by Christ's grace and empowered by the Spirit to work together, with no division or difference to build God's Kingdom here and now.
26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3: 26 - 29 (NIV)
By His sacrifice and death, Christ took on our sins so that we may be free of the yoke of sin, and through His life and resurrection, He gives us new life and the example of how we should live as those freed by His grace.
5 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 (NIV)
13 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. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbour as yourself.”15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. Galatians 5: 13 - 15 (NIV)
Accepting Jesus' saving grace is accepting the new life that He calls us to, one where we turn away from the slavery of those things that lead to sin - need for possessions, self-reliance, the love of money, complacency - and embracing a life that is Spirit led:
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. Galatians 5: 22 - 26 (NIV)
Life in the Spirit is a life of care, consideration and concern for all those around us, it is a life of faith in action and we give thanks for those like CAP who live out their faith through action and make a real difference for those who feel lost on the margins.
Ely and District CAP News
30k for 30 years - Walking this Saturday!
Christians Against Poverty is 30 years old this year, and we have joined the challenge to walk 30k and raise money for CAP! We will aim to walk 30k from Ely to Cambridge this Saturday, 24th October. To sponsor the team head to our JustGiving page:
Prayer
Please pray for all our Ely and District CAP clients and those like them who feel that they have been left behind on the edges of society, that through the love of the Ely and District CAP team and those like them, they would feel welcome, loved supported, included and know the freedom of God's love in their lives.
Please pray for the team walking on Saturday, for good weather and fitness to be able to meet the 30k challenge and help raise money to support the Bradford Hub and celebrate 30 years of CAP.
Pray that we would live lives of faith in action, to share the love and gifts that we have from God with everyone we meet, and know that we all play our part in building the Kingdom here in Ely.
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