From the colors we choose to paint our walls to the posts we publish on social media, you and I relish a plethora of freedoms. A series of legislation governs public and private affairs, ensuring entitlement to speech, religion, privacy, justice, and protection, among others.
Without a doubt, freedom is a sought after and fiercely protected privilege, often defended as a human right.
We may patriotically value freedom in the social sphere, but Christians know freedom in a whole other dimension!
“For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death,” Romans 8:2 says. “Our old self was crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin” (6:6).
Hebrews 2:14-15 similarly describes, “… that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.”
Such precious, costly freedom is not for misuse or abuse. We are instructed against leveraging it as “opportunity for the flesh” (Galatians 5:13) or “cover-up for evil” (1 Peter 2:16). Instead, we are liberated to lovingly serve in God’s honor!
We represent Him wherever we are, for “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Corinthians 3:17). God’s Provision: Jesus said the truth will set us free (John 8:32), and “if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (36)!
Jesus Himself is Truth (John 14:6), sent to proclaim good news to the poor, healing to the brokenhearted, and liberty to the captives (Isaiah 61:1, Luke 4:18).
Of course we find freedom in Him who breaks chains, heals disease, and conquers death!
Ironically, this freedom is still slavery—a slavery of freedom!
“What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.” – Romans 6:15-18
Instead of offering ourselves to sin, we are free to become God’s “instruments for righteousness” (13).
And forever remain in that freedom!
“Now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.” – 22
Word of the Week: Yoke. The bondage oppressing us was a heavy burden—now, no longer upon our shoulders!
“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” – Galatians 5:1
Abby
