Freedom is a beautiful thing but it isn't free.
Galatians 5:13-18 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. 14 For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[a] 15 But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another. 16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. 18 But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.
Freedom from what? Bondage. Restraint. Restriction.
To understand Freedom you have to understand what has you captive.
What restrains you?
Insecurity. Shame. Fear of rejection. Failure. Addiction. The approval of others?
We think of freedom as the ability to do whatever we desire. Let's think about that. What do we desire? Which part of we are we talking about? You are a spirit. You live in a body. You have a soul. they each have different and sometimes competing desires. Your flesh, your emotions, and your spirit all want freedom to have their own way. How do we know which freedom is best for us?
John 8:32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. 33 “But we are descendants of Abraham,” they said. “We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, ‘You will be set free’?” 34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. 35 A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.
What a wonderful statement. Free indeed. That is God's plan.
Freedom is not only about escaping bondage. There are two parts of freedom. There is freedom from... and freedom to...
Freedom is not only about having a lack of restraint (prison bars, chains etc.) but also experiencing the empowerment to go and do what we were created to do. Freedom to realize your hopes and dreams and to walk in His design and purpose for our lives.
Romans 6:14 Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.
2 Cor. 3:17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
Galatians 5:13 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.
1 Timothy 2:6 He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.
He gave His life for a purpose. The purpose was to set us free. All of us. Wow. I am so thankful for this message which defintely is right on time. Today, God wants you to know freedom in a personal way.
The most important part of freedom is being liberated to love others. Even the unlovable. When we get free we can't help but want to share that freedom with others.
As God's children we now live in the goodness of His grace. We are accepted and approved without qualification. Now that is truly amazing.
Take some time and think about what God has set you free from and then consider what He has set you free to go do.
Much love...
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