Monday, July 4, 2011

Freedom

John 8:32, 36 - And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. 

Happy Fourth of July! It is a day for many to celebrate the freedom we have in this country. Let's never forget why we celebrate this holiday. Let's never let the idea of our freedom grow cold. We must hang on to it.

There is another freedom, too. Once this freedom is attained it enhances the idea of our country's freedom. But we cannot grow complacent about this freedom either.

Freedom in Christ. Freedom from the sins that we were born into. Freedom to have access at any time to God. This freedom in Christ only comes through faith in Him.

There is a whole chapter in the Book of Hebrews dedicated to faith. It comes when we receive Christ and then believe that He is who He says He is and that He can do all things ...and that He is bigger than any our problems. This is freedom at it's best. In faith we do not need to see the outcome now; we don't need to concern ourselves about situations in life that seem too great for us to handle. We are free to allow God to deal with our problems, even our messes.

When we yield to the One in authority, we have freedom. When we trust God has all the answers and we let go of our struggles to work something out, we have freedom. We have faith in the things we cannot see being fulfilled. God's ways are not like ours. His timing is perfect, as are His ways. And speaking of ways, it is His Way that He sent to bring this freedom to us. He is the Truth we are to seek out. His Truth goes beyond comprehension.

Freedom: Christ died to make men holy...let us live to make men free. Christ died so that we might have a freedom that is indescribable. Those who have chosen Christ must also live that others might see Him and live...and be given the opportunity to share in the freedom.

It's sad to think this Freedom Road is narrow. It's sad to think many believe they are free without first coming to Christ. It's sad to think they don't know the joys of this different kind of freedom.

There are just so many ways to describe the freedom we have in Christ. Unless the Holy Spirit of God opens the deaf ears and blind eyes, one will not fully grasp the enormity and delight of it all...the freedom to know no matter what lies ahead in this life we are secure in Him. Doesn't it just sound freeing to know our future is secure, even in death?

This freedom is for all who receive it. It does not stop at any one denomination or any one color a person might be, and especially not how good a person is. As far as God is concerned we all wear the same rags until we choose Christ and receive spiritual robes of righteousness. It's not about us or what we have been taught by men, but what He tells us in His Word.

We are also free to choose. Choose this day life or death. Choose the freedom a life in Christ alone brings. 

Our country was founded on this same type of freedom and on the principles God laid out for us. A man or woman without Christ will be in bondage. But here's the good news: Jesus came to exchange those chains and yokes of slavery for His peace and freedom in Him.

In church yesterday, our Associate Pastor, Andy Horn, told us how as a people who chose to come to this country to have freedom from England's control, some could not live without that yoke of bondage. They couldn't get used to the idea of freedom. And like during the Civil War, some slaves chose to go back to being slaves because they didn't know how to live in freedom. Even when Israel was released from the captivity of Egypt they murmured about what they perceived were things they had to give up instead of looking forward and up and trusting God's guidance. As my friend sitting next to me whispered: Sounds like people today.

Happy Freedom in Christ!

Heavenly Father, we see the days ahead. We see the very possibility of instability of them. A day will come when the only hope at all will be in You. The only change we will realize is if we dedicate our lives to You and receive the freedom and peace in knowing You as Lord and Savior. What will it take for that to happen? What will open the blind eyes and deaf ears? I pray for a manifestation of Your Spirit in this land. I pray for hearts to desire the freedom You provide because it is the greatest freedom we can have. Reveal Your Son to this world.

Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. (2Corinthians 3:17, Galatians 5:1)

1 comment:

  1. The church really needs to teach this ... because we need to know. So glad your pastor did!

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