Freedom

July 21st – Galatians 5:25

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Galatians 5:25

We are all born into this world physically alive, but spiritually dead. But the instant we receive Christ as our Savior, we are made anew. Through the Spirit of God, we become born again. We are now new creations given new lives in Jesus, and freed from the bondage of sin and death. But this freedom isn’t free. For it comes only though obedience to God and His will. Because the freedom God provides doesn’t mean we can do anything we want, or live our lives in a manner similar to the rest of the world. Instead, this freedom allows us to turn aside from jealousy, anger, drunkenness, quarrels, and idolatry. We are freed to love and bestow upon others the fruits of the Spirit, including joy, peace, patience, goodness, and gentleness. All of the wonderful and loving qualities exhibited by our Lord. So if we truly live in Christ, and He in us, we will follow and walk in the Spirit’s lead and exercise faithfully the freedom He gives us.

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July 20th – 2 Peter 2:20

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2 Peter 2:20

We’ve all heard stories about people who after being freed, return to their abusers. We shake our heads in disbelief and wonder why they they would ever go back. Yet that’s exactly what we do when return to our sinful lifestyle of bondage after receiving freedom through Jesus Christ. As believers we are no longer enslaved to the desires of the world. But sadly, many of us go back to the destructive patterns of the past. We willingly walk back into our jail cells and slap on the cuffs of sin. And each time we return to that prison, we find it harder to break free. Because when we go back, our hearts harden to sin just a little bit more, making it that much more tolerable. It is only when we truly believe in our hearts and minds that happiness can only be found in God, can we walk away from the hold of sin and never again return to the abuse from the Enemy!

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July 16th – Ephesians 2:18

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Ephesians 2:18

As fallen beings, we are all born into bondage. Our sin nature makes us spiritually dead in our transgressions, slaves to unrighteousness, and separated from God. This causes us to live in darkness and shame, unable to behold His Shekinah glory. But the moment we receive Jesus as our Savior, the darkness is lifted, our shackles broken, and are hearts reborn. Through His precious shed blood, Jesus provides the path to freedom for all. Freedom from sin, death, and most wonderful of all, separation from our Heavenly Father. Now we are free not only to fellowship with the Lord, but to approach God’s throne of grace boldly and with confidence to receive His mercy and grace. (Heb. 4:16) And through this grace, together we are made alive with Christ, raised up, and seated with Him in heavenly places. (Eph. 2:5-6)

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July 15th – Galatians 2:4

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Galatians 2:4

The gospel as told in the Word of God is perfect and complete. Yet many try distort it’s message of freedom through the blood of Jesus Christ. They add, take away, and twist the scriptures to fit their worldly agendas. They mandate ungodly rules and rituals needed to obtain salvation, forgiveness, and blessings. And Paul says be alert, for they are everywhere. These “false brethren” don’t come with signs, bells, and whistles, announcing their arrival. Instead they slowly sneak their false doctrine into our hearts and minds, leading us back into the very bondage Jesus gave His blood to free us from. So to defend ourselves, we need to spend time daily in the Word of God. We need to know it’s truths and stand on it’s promises. For it is our greatest shield against attacks from all enemies both outside and within.

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July 14th – James 1:25

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James 1:25

James describes the Word of God as the perfect law of liberty. Why? Because in it we learn the gospel of Jesus Christ, which gives us freedom from sin, bondage, and death. And the more time we spend in the Bible, the freer we become. Which is why James stresses that we need to “look intently” at what God says. In the ancient Greek language, to “look intently” spoke of a penetrating examination. To peer so intently, that a person would go to great extremes, even physical, to get a better look. Adam Clark calls “looking intently” as taking the time to, “see and examine the state of his soul, the grace of his God, the extent of his duty, and the height of the promised glory.” Being able to both own and read the Bible is a privilege we should never take for granted. And when it comes to the Word of God, James promises great blessings for those who instead of being forgetful hearers, become effectual doers!

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July 13th – Galatians 4:31

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Galatians 4:31

When it comes to describing the freedom we enjoy through Christ, and the difference between the old covenant and the new, the apostle Paul uses the example of Hagar and Sarah. Hagar bore Ishmael in the ordinary manner in which babies are born. Yet Sarah bore Isaac in a supernatural way, after receiving a message from God. Hagar, a bondswoman, had children born as slaves to the Law. These children represent Jerusalem before Jesus came, and all those who try to earn salvation through works. But Sarah, a free woman, had children born into that freedom. These children represent both Jews and Gentiles who are born under grace, and all who receive salvation through faith in Jesus and His promises. Paul goes on to tell us that just like Ishmael ridiculed and demeaned Isaac, Christians will face persecution from those who don’t know Jesus as their Savior. But we needn’t fear but rather celebrate. For Paul tells us that only those who choose faith or works are “heirs according to promise”, and will receive the gift of eternal life. (Gal. 3:29)

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July 12th – Psalm 119:45

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Psalm 119:45

Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Ours is a government of liberty, by, through, and under the law. No man is above it, and no man is below it.” We all want freedom. We want be able to live our lives in our own manner by our own choosing. Yet the irony is that to be free, we need laws to our guarantee that freedom. And the same goes for the Law of God. Far from just being a set of rules designed to take away our fun or liberties, God’s Law sets us free. Free to be who God created us to be. Free to live our best lives, no longer in bondage to sin. And free to live in willing obedience to God. Obedience not to attain salvation by works, but to serve and please our loving Father, who gave us His Law because He knows and wants what is best for us. And walking in obedience frees us from feelings of fear and dread, and let’s us live joyfully in God’s wide open space of grace, peace, and love.

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July 11th – Galatians 5:13

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Galatians 5:13

Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, we have been freed from the curse of the Law. But Paul is quick to remind us that freedom isn’t intended to cause us to sin. And it isn’t intended for us to lead lives of self focus, importance, or indulgence. Instead, knowing the great price Jesus paid for our freedom, we are to use our liberties to serve God and others. We are to, “do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” (Phil. 2:3) Jesus left His mighty throne in heaven and in great love, humbled Himself before those He created. And if we love the Lord, we will love others. For as Paul goes on to say, “For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Gal. 5:14)

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July 10th – Romans 8:26

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Romans 8:26

Many mistakenly label Christianity as a religion. But religion is defined as “belief in a deity, expressed in conduct and ritual”, meaning it is based on a list of rules. And Christianity is based on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Jesus died to give us freedom from religion with it’s unattainable do’s and don’ts. He doesn’t want us trapped in rituals and prewritten prayers. Instead He wants to hear from our hearts. God longs for conversations with His children about our deepest desires, hurts, and needs. He is interested in every part of our lives both big and small. And when we can’t put into words the deep groaning of our hearts, the Holy Spirit carries our petitions to our loving Father in heaven. He pleads to God on our behalf’s, and intercedes for us according to the will of God. We never have to be afraid to come before our Creator. Because our Lord seeks those who worship Him not in rules and rituals, “in the Spirit and in truth”. (John 4:24)

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July 9th – James 2:12

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James 2:12

As followers of Jesus, we receive the gift of liberty. Liberty from the Law, sin, and death. We are new creations in Christ, freed from the bondage of living in darkness and condemnation. But that doesn’t mean we are free to speak and act like the rest of the world. Just because we are saved, doesn’t give us cart blanche to walk by the flesh or disobey God. For our freedom was purchased with the blood of Jesus Christ. And as such, He expects us to be His ambassadors to a darkened world, reflections of His love and grace. That includes making sure our speech and actions line up with the Word of God. For saved or unsaved, we will all stand before Him and give an account of our lives. Every word we speak and every deed we perform will be laid bare before our Creator. (Matt. 12:36, Rom. 14:12) And the goal of every Christian should be to stand before our Maker and hear Him say, “Well done good and faithful servant!” (Matt. 25:23)

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