TRUE Freedom In Christ

I've been meditating on what TRUE freedom in Christ means. People talk about "Freedom in Christ" or "He is our liberty" all the time. However, there are times I truly wonder if they know about the freedom which the passages throughout scripture are talking about.

This freedom, true freedom, is not freedom to do whatever we want, when we want it. This freedom is not to put people down, stand up for our "rights" or the freedom to "live it up." This freedom is beautiful, sacred, true, wonderful. This freedom is the difference between slavery and walking as a free man.

As Jesus was talking to the Jews in John 8:34-36 He says, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed."

Those who don't know Christ, walk in the Kingdom of darkness. Unbeknownst to them, they are slaves to sin. This means that whatever temptation satan sends their way, they cannot resist it. They can't go against the flow and fight the attacks of the enemy. If someone is mean to them, they punch them, spread rumors about them, etc... They are drawn in by every evil thing that goes against the character of our precious Savior. Just as a slave has to obey it's master, so those who are slaves to sin obey their master...

When we are "transfered from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light" (When we repent of our sins, receive God's forgiveness, ask Him into our lives and turn away from sin. A redemption that is offered to anyone who would receive it!) God does an amazing thing. He breaks the chains of bondage that has been holding us SO long. Sin is no longer our slavedriver. Those who have struggle with addictions suddenly have the power to resist and turn from those things. Those who have been perpetual bullies their whole lives suddenly don't HAVE to be mean anymore.   When those chains are loosed...WOW...it's awesome!

We need to live in that freedom everyday! Think about the 10 Commandments, for instance... this freedom helps us so we don't HAVE to lust after someone else's spouse, we don't HAVE to want other poeple's things, we don't HAVE to steal from others, we don't HAVE to argue with our siblings/parents/spouse. If someone says something mean, our freedom is turning away silently. (Yes, don't stand up for yourself. God can and will take care of it.) Our freedom is that we can become more and MORE like Jesus. He gives us the power to say, "No. I don't have to fall for that temptation. I don't have to think badly of my friends. I don't have to bad mouth my spouse! God has given me freedom!!"

Just think what would happen if we really, TRULY started living in that freedom! Ask the Lord for Strength to live and walk in such a freedom that we want to do good, and not evil.

In Christ,