Freedom is a Person
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During my last year in high school, I counted down the days until my eighteenth birthday on a calendar. Eighteen stood for adulthood and freedom to me. I longed to make my own choices and dreamed of exploring the world without the restrictions of parental supervision. However, it didn’t take long for me to realize that getting a year older only meant greater responsibility. Sure, I might get to travel, but I’d have to pay for the plane ticket. Sure, I might drive my own car, but I’d pay for the insurance.
Adulthood wasn’t exactly the freedom I had expected.
When I read John’s Gospel, I see how the Pharisees didn’t get it either. They thought that their Abrahamic heritage gave them clout with God. They held on to their traditions and strict regulations believing that the door to heaven would swing wide open for them. Like me, the Pharisees failed to understand that freedom is not your position. Freedom is a person.
Christ came to set us free, and as we surrender our lives to Him, the Spirit of the resurrected Christ comes to dwell in us. Truth inhabits our lives in the Living Word, and as we walk with Him and yield to His Spirit, freedom results. This is why Paul and Silas could sing in prison. Earthly chains do not hold the child of God who is abiding in Truth. Freedom reigns.
Now that I am free in Christ, my full-time job is to share the Good News. Every day, we rub shoulders with people who are living lives that are imprisoned to sin and weighted down by discouragement. The enemy of their souls tells them that freedom is found in selfish pleasure.
We are called to be a light in a dark place. Who do you know that needs to be set free? We can point others to freedom by sharing how we came to know the Truth and explaining that Christ alone will set them free. Pray that God will open up the door for you to speak truth into the lives of those who so desperately need Him.
Let’s Talk: How do you define “freedom”? How has the Truth set you free?
“Freedom is a Person” was originally published at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale’s Daily Devo.
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To me, freedom is salvation in Christ. God sent His Son so that we will have freedom in His kingdom. I want to be free from worry, fear and pain. I know that in Heaven, I am free. I thank God for His mercies and His plan for my freedom. Thank you, Lyli, for this post. 🙂 Have a wonderful week!
I agree, Melissa. Christ has set us free, and that is something to celebrate. More of Jesus in 2016! Happy New Year! 🙂
Lyli, you made me think a bit this morning. The first word which came to mind when I thought of the word freedom was “liberated”. Yeah, not in the whole liberated woman sort of way 🙂 but liberated to be the woman God created me to be from the beginning. Christ truly frees us to live life fully, with purpose & meaning, fulfilling His will for our lives. I so appreciated this powerful reminder of the freedom we find in Christ.
Thanks for sharing that Joanne! Our church is doing a 5-week series titled “free” right now, so I’ve been thinking quite a bit on this topic. 🙂
Thankful for the light you shine, Lyli … your prayer emphasis inspires …
Happy New Year, sweet friend! Praying for God to spread lots of sunshine on your 2016. xo
Freedom comes in the surrender to Christ. Letting go of all that I am and all that I want, to pick up all He is and following His will. I love how you said, “Earthly chains do not hold the child of God who is abiding in Truth.” It’s so true. When I hold on tight to the things I want or think that I want, that very thing binds me. However, when I surrender all those things to Him, I am free. Great message, Lyli!
Hi Lyli, I’m stopping by from Laura’s Playdates with God.
I am so thankful that the freedom from sin came with the person of Jesus, the Christ.
Thank you so much for sharing this lovely post!
“Freedom”…that makes me think of the last scene in Braveheart when William Wallace passionately cries out the word at the moment of his death. He, of course, was referring to Scotland being free from England. However, we can each passionately cry out the word freedom as we embrace the gift that God has given to us through His Son. Freedom. Freedom to live without the burden of sin. Freedom to live out our lives as Christ dares us to. Freedom to know that we are loved without boundaries by a God who is limitless in His faithfulness… Freedom!
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized freedom has a lot to do with our personal choices. Of course, ultimate freedom comes in Christ, but even that’s our choice, and a choice we sometimes have to make over and over again. I’m so glad you linked up at #ThreeWordWednesday. xoxo
How true! Christ sets us free and nothing else 🙂