This week we are celebrating the founding of our country, remembering our freedom as Americans and honoring our veterans who sacrificed to maintain our liberty. We are truly blessed in America and certainly we should celebrate. But, there is a greater freedom which is available to anyone regardless of where they live. It is the everlasting freedom that every human being can experience if they are willing.
This wonderful freedom makes all the difference in how you live your life, your perception of circumstances and your whole future. What type of freedom is this? Where does it come from? How can you get it?
It is the freedom that is found only in knowing Jesus as your Savior. This freedom has already been attained for us by Jesus, but, whether we obtain it or not is our choice. Jesus spoke a lot about freedom when He was here on Earth. The very One who walked amongst us is the source of true freedom. He freed us from sin, sickness and death. You can be free from torment and free to be your true self.
John 8:36 “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”
Following is a scripture that says it all:
John 10:10 “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
GOOD GOD, bad devil. It couldn’t be clearer. Whatever is stealing, killing or trying to destroy your life and dreams — it is not from God! God is the giver of every good gift.
True freedom includes knowing that you can live victoriously. Being free from a defeatist attitude and sense of unworthiness are added blessings from the Lord. Jesus sets you free to be the unique and original person that you are.
The One to celebrate, to make much of, is our Risen Savior, Jesus! Jesus overcame every area of temptation that we encounter in life. Being free from slavery to the world’s system, the flesh and devil is unattainable without God. The devil was defeated at Calvary, but if you don’t have that understanding, then the devil will have a heyday with your life and thoughts. Once you are emancipated from the devil’s grip on your life you become a victor — not a victim.
1 John 3: “…For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” Jesus desires to set you free from any bondage, torment or addiction.
Trying to sum up the totality of what freedom in Christ means is nearly impossible. Just as our Lord is Eternal, so likewise, are the many blessings contained in the great exchange. Jesus became our sin offering in our place so we would have direct access to throne of God.
God encourages us to stay free and not return to bondage. It is all about choices.
Romans 6:18 “Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.”
John 6:40 “And this is the will of him that sent me, that everyone which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”
Freedom from fear of the future and the fear of death belongs to you in Christ. You can have an assurance of where you will spend Eternity. Jesus promises that if you believe on Him you will have Eternal life with Him! What an amazing gift! He has made the provision, only believe and receive and say “thank you”.
No longer do we have to live in deception. We can be released from falsehoods because Jesus is the light of the world. We don’t have to stumble around in confusion and darkness. God’s children are walking in His light revealed through the life of Jesus and the Word.
John 8:12 “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
John 10:28 “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”
1 John 5:11-15 “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12) He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13) These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 14) And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15) And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”
Jeremiah 29:12 “Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.”
Psalm 50:15 “And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.”
How encouraging to understand that whenever troubles bombard us and we feel overwhelmed, we have someone to call upon any time day or night. God has the power to deliver us. And then as we are set free we are to give God all the glory!
II Corinthians 3:17 “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
Where is the Spirit of the Lord? According to scripture God’s Spirit dwells in each of us. True freedom entered our heart when we accepted Jesus. So, why do we still feel bound at times and are convinced that nothing will ever change? I believe the main reason for the lack of liberty manifesting in our lives is directly related to our lack of knowledge of God’s Word and our identity in Christ. God promises if we truly seek Him we will find Him. So, let’s face it – it truly is up to us to be seekers of truth by studying the scriptures and developing a personal relationship with the Lord.
God truly knows what is best for you and you can trust Him. Allow freedom in Christ to manifest in every area of your life. True lasting freedom comes only from the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
I pray for freedom to continue ringing throughout our nation and throughout our hearts and lives. True freedom in Christ enables you to totally trust God. No part of your life is “off-limits” to God. Even prisoners confined to a cell can experience freedom from within because they belong to Jesus.
Revelation 21:6 NLT “And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life.”
1 Corinthians 2:12 “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.”
Matthew 10:8 “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.”
Celebrate the true freedom in Christ which is a gift to all those who believe and receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. Freely Jesus has given. Freely receive all the benefits of knowing Him. Freely share the message of TRUE FREEDOM (the Gospel) to others!
NO FREEDOM? KNOW JESUS!!
KNOW JESUS? TRUE FREEDOM!!
