Freedom

John 8:31-32 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in 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."

It’s all about freedom--always has been, always will be. It’s about what Jesus Christ will do in your life to break the bonds of sin—the disbelief, disobedience and doubt, just to name a few. It’s what Jesus does, and He does it very well. In fact, He did it perfectly.

I had the amazing blessing yesterday to watch as a friend of mine made this life-changing journey from not being certain to becoming very certain of her salvation. She laid hold of all that Christ wanted to offer her and in so doing reminded me and others that freedom is what Jesus came to do. He came to set the prisoners free so that we might have the blessing of being called children of God.

Freedom is not something to be taken lightly. I marvel at times when I hear stories of military personal that declare that what they are doing is worth the effort. No sacrifice too great is their common story. The same can be said for the sake of the cross. No sacrifice too great was the story of the life of Jesus; He gave everything in order that we might be set free. Remember He even said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Freedom is only found in Him and Him alone.

I have realized in my life that everything else except this amazing love of Jesus usually ends in bondage. Church work can be bondage, tithing can be bondage, scripture reading can be bondage, and if these things which are good cause bondage, then think what the acts of our sinful nature cause--the answer, more bondage.

Lies, deceit, deception, lust, anger, strife, addictions to things and a host of other stuff have bound me, and these things have always landed me in more bondage. How true it is that the one thing we want to escape from is the very thing that will control us, except for this amazing grace of Christ.

Being a Christ follower is a journey to freedom. Sometimes it happens in an instant, sometimes over the course of learning and struggle, but the end game is our freedom. Christ is on our side, and He is calling us to be free--free from this world to experience the beauty of living a life filled with His love and the Love of our Heavenly Father.

The choice is simple; choose freedom. In so doing, release the things which bind you and turn them over to Jesus, All those things died on the cross with Him at Calvary. Then surrender your will in a different way, in submission to a greater authority--the power of God to experience anew freedom from above.

That’s what I’m looking for today. How about you?

Blessings, Rip