Set Free

Freedom...

Love of self kills our freedom in Christ.

"Do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh ; rather, serve one another humbly in love." Galatians 5:13

Conforming to the image others have for us, out of fear, leaves us prisoners.

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1

 

Laws; self imposed, government imposed, church imposed, never lead to freedom.

"I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts." Psalm 119:45

 Searching for freedom in the face of another love is dangerous.

"He has sent me [Jesus] to proclaim freedom for the prisoners... to set the oppressed free." Luke 4:18b-19a

 Freedom on earth is a temporary truce, anything else is surrender.

"Creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God." Romans 8:21

 Pride tears down freedom. Man never authors freedom he enters into it.

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." 

2 Corinthians 3:17

 We don't fight for freedom, as something to win, we live in it. 

"In him we may approach God with freedom and confidence." Ephesians 3:12

 Freedom without responsibility, love, or self-sacrifice  is not freedom, it is petulant self-indulgence.

"Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil." 1 Peter 2:16

Freedom is everywhere, if we're looking for it. It takes eyes focused, not on ourselves, or others, but on the crucified and risen Christ Jesus. 

"For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality... Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory." Colossians 2:17, 3:1-4

That is the ultimate freedom!

 

 Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains or slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take but as for me, give me liberty or give me death! - Patrick Henry

Can we resonate in our spirits with Patrick Henry's sentiment. Is there any sin, or law, or pleasure that binds us to anything other than true freedom in Christ? This week of celebrated liberty do you live set free, liberated in joy? What's holding you back from living in freedom today? 

 

{The content of this post has been recycled from an archived post dated August 31, 2011.}