Free Indeed

For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.   Galatians 5:13

Were you thinking about our freedom on July 4th, as we were on “lockdown” because of the virus?  Will there ever be true freedom in this dark and fallen world?  What does the Bible mean when it talks about freedom?

Freedom must be important to Jesus, since he died to set us free.  In Romans 8:2 we read, “And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.” Do you belong to Jesus?  Then his life-giving Spirit has set you free from the power of sin.  The devil can no longer make you sin.  You have the ability to get out of the ruts of rebellious, negative thinking that keep you chained in depression and anger.  You have been given spiritual sight, and God, who lives in you, gives you the ability to resist temptation and all forms of selfishness and corruption.  But you still have to believe you have that power and choose to resist and stand firm in love and truth.

So, in Christ, we have freedom from sin, the power of Christ’s victory in us to resist and defeat Satan and the fallen worldview.  We also have freedom to live by faith in Jesus, and, by doing so, come to truly know God and live daily in his presence.  Jesus called himself the truth (Jn.14:6) and promised in John 8:32, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”  Let’s get to really know Jesus, not just about him, so that we can live in true freedom.

In his presence, we are filled with God’s love and peace, that leaves no room for fear and anxiety.  Filled with his Spirit we have the power and authority to overcome every problem and the strength to keep going.  His perfect freedom drives out the fear of death, for he has overcome it.  

Why are we waiting?  Let’s come out of the darkness of this day and into the light of Christ’s presence and the perfect peace and freedom he offers.

Dear friend, may you experience true freedom as you learn to rest in your relationship with Jesus. May the Lord fill you with his deep peace and joy as you linger there and invite others to join you.  Amen.
Mary Sumner, July 8, 2020