July 4, 2021
“Christ has freed us so that we may enjoy the benefits of freedom. Therefore, be firm in this freedom, and don’t become slaves again.” Galatians 5:1 (GW)
“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. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Galatians 5:13. (NLT)
~ Everyone Seeks Freedom! We praise God for living in a free country, even with its problems, injustices, and societal issues, it remains the freest and greatest country in the world. We also praise God for those who gave their lives for us to live in freedom.
However, much better freedom is in JESUS! Knowing Jesus is Knowing True FREEDOM. Jesus Himself is the Truth That Sets Us Free! He is the Source of Truth, the Perfect Standard of what is right. John the Apostle reminds us in John 8:36, “that when the Son Sets You Free, you will be Absolutely Free. He frees us from the consequences of sin, from self-deception, and from deception by Satan. He shows us clearly the way to eternal life with God.
What about Christian Freedom? Are you free in Christ? Are you walking is that FREEDOM Christ purchased at Calvary?
~ An important aspect of Christian Freedom is our responsibility not to return to living under the Law. The apostle Paul compared this to slavery! Those who are slaves to sin cannot free themselves from it, but once we are freed from the Penalty and Power of sin through the cross, we become a different kind of slave, and in that slavery, we find complete PEACE, JOY, and TRUE FREEDOM!
~ Before Jesus died on the cross at Calvary, the people of God lived under a detailed system of laws and sacrifices that served as a moral compass to guide their lives. The Law was limited and was powerless to grant Salvation or Produce True Freedom, however, the Law pointed the way to Jesus Christ as noted in Galatians 3:19–24!
~ Through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, the Law was fulfilled, setting Believers free from the law of sin and death. The Apostle Paul made it clear in Romans 8:2-8, that God’s laws are now written in our hearts through the Spirit of God, and we are now free to follow and serve Christ in ways that please and glorify Him!
~ However, we must be very clear, Jesus does not give us the freedom to do what we want, but the freedom to follow God. As we seek to serve God, Jesus’ perfect truth frees us to be all that God meant us to be. Every person has been given the responsibility to make the right choices in life, we must choose truth, reject lies, and forgive those who hurt us!
RX: A FREE ♥️ HEART
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. (ESV) There are three methods of trying to live the Christian life and two of them will NOT work. One is a Life of Legalism, and the other is the Life of License, discussed in Romans chapter 6. The Third Method is living the Christian life ~ a life of liberty in Christ.
FATHER GOD: Thank You for the Holy Spirit which gives us the power to walk in the freedom that is already ours in Christ, in the Precious, Powerful and Preeminent Name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, Amen.