4th of July is a reminder to consider our freedom. When you think of freedom what comes to mind? Thankfulness? Hope? Joy? Right now you may be feeling like freedom feels less free than it ever has before.I believe this is a tactic of the enemy, to try and make us doubt our freedom and to make us believe that a worldly system could take it away.Yet our freedom is not based on a political system it is rooted in the God who sets people free!In fact the whole message of Scripture points us to Christ who to free us!Isaiah 61:1 says”The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,because the Lord has anointed meto bring good news to the poor;he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,to proclaim liberty to the captivesand the opening of the prison to those who are bound.”Consider these points about freedom based on Scripture:
Because of Jesus our freedom in Him can never be reversed
John 8:36 “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
Romans 8:1-2 “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.”
Acts: 13:38-39 “Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.”
God’s Word frees people from bondage
John 8:31-32 “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Psalm 119:45 “And I shall walk in a wide place, for I have sought your precepts.”
James 1:25 “But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.”
Galatians 5:1 “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”
Our freedom is not just for us
1 Peter 2:16 “Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.”
1 Corinthians 6:12 “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.”
Galatians 5:13 “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
Today I ask you to consider this: What are you doing with your freedom? Are you using it to glorify God? Do you rest in the freedom Christ has given you? If you have not been freed from the weight of your sin and separation from God I want you to know that He is ready and willing to free you right now if you will give your heart to him. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”To accept this freedom all you have to do is accept Christ as your Lord and Savior. Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”Accept His freedom. And if you are already free use your freedom to glorify God and live free because Christ has died for your freedom!