Freedom
Scripture: John 8:31-32
"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (NIV)
Hello my friends!
I am not sure about you, but I love holidays. I am like a big kid in a candy store when preparing for any holiday… decorations, holiday themed clothing, food, and everything else that comes with a holiday. This year the upcoming July 4th holiday has proven to be no different as I have been planning and preparing for its arrival for a few weeks now. There is something about the 4th of July that brings out the inner child in me with the anticipation of the cookouts, warm weather, and of course, the fireworks.
As I have been preparing for this year’s celebration, the word freedom has been prevalent in almost every thought. I began to think of what that really means to me, and to us as followers of Christ. We hear it so much during this time of year, but do we really give it much thought outside of the independence holiday? I know I get up everyday and have my routine of doing things, whether it be working, running errands, household chores, seeing family and friends, and whatever else the week or days may bring… and I do them without ever thinking about the freedom to do so. I do not ask for permission from someone. I just do it. I began to really think about that last statement. ‘I do not ask for permission from someone. I just do it.’
Well friends, let me tell you that this week God has been hot and heavy on my tail about that statement. How many times do we just DO things without thinking because we can? We have the freedom to do it, so we do… but is it what HE wants us to be doing? Now, I know that I am going much deeper into a thought process than most would think about when celebrating July 4th, but I think it is worth sharing for us to reflect and think about.
We are very fortunate in the United States to have such freedoms, and I will never take that for granted and always be grateful to those who have and currently do serve our country. What God has put on my heart is the spiritual freedom we have through the greatest sacrifice of His Son. The beauty of this freedom is that it is not geographically, gender, or nationality specific. It did come at a great cost, but it is freedom that is afforded and available to everyone.
In John 8:31-32, Jesus speaks to a group of believers and reminds them of the freedom they have been given as His followers; however, it is not a freedom to just do what you want, but rather a freedom from spiritual death caused by sin. It is freedom from bondage, guilt, shame, and destruction of being held captive by the enemy. Jesus gives clear direction on how to obtain and maintain this freedom in His first words, ‘If you hold to my teaching’. Truth is we are all in a spiritual battle every day, and if we are not armed with His teachings, we may allow the enemy to hold us captive; therefore, removing the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and His truth.
I go back to my comment of ‘I do not ask for permission from someone. I just do it.’ How many days do you lose sight of His teaching and come up with your own lesson plan for the day? Do you daily live in the truth by your actions and words showing others the joy and peace that comes from the freedom allowed through a relationship with Christ Jesus? Or do you drag your chains with you? Are you being held captive by the enemy or do you hold to the truth and set free?
I am reminded of some of the lyrics to the song ‘Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)’ by Chris Tomlin:
Chorus:
My chains are gone, I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, amazing grace
It is by His grace that we have the freedom to experience the vastness of His greatness every day. As followers of Christ, we must hold fast to His truth… and we shall be free.
Happy 4th of July, and I wish everyone a safe and fun holiday living in the freedom we have in Christ Jesus.
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