Jul 05 2016 Freedom
Are you FREE?
It may be difficult to answer that question unless we define “free!” So, lets reflect on the subject of “freedom” for a bit.
There are different types of freedom.
P O L I T I C A L F R E E D O M | We might remember the Berlin Wall. Consider countries in our world today that severely restrict the freedom of its people.
S O C I A L F R E E D O M | This would deal with areas such as race, personal rights, etc.
P E R S O N A L F R E E D O M | Often this deals with the desire to throw off old customs, old laws and ‘do your own thing.’
It’s reflected in the lyrics of music:
“I gotta be me, I gotta be free.”
It is also important to understand what freedom is NOT! Freedom is not…..
L I C E N S E | It is not right to do anything I want to do when and where I want to do it. I’m not free to dump my garbage on your front lawn. I’m not free to drive any speed I want.
D O Y O U R O W N T H I N G | What if my ‘own’ thing is to commit theft or murder? It’s thinking that what’s mine is mine and what’s yours is mine. Remember, ‘no man is an island!’ What we do effects somebody else!
P E R M I S S I V E N E S S | I’m not free to treat people any way I want. I’m not free to sleep with anyone I want.
“We must know where the boundaries are in order to be free.”
“There is no freedom without fences!”
Jesus said…..
“You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings (obey).
And you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:31-32
Jesus does three things to set us free.
1. Jesus sets us free to love and accept who we are.
I believe a significant number of people in our culture do not love themselves. And you cannot love yourself until you know and believe how much God loves you. The Bible says:
God made you.
God loves you.
Jesus died for you.
God has gifted you.
God has a plan for your life.
Begin to look at yourself the way God does. It will free you up to love yourself and love others in more significant and deeper ways.
2. Jesus frees us from guilt.
Romans 8:1 states, “So there is now no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.”
When you accept Jesus into your life, he makes you right with God The Father. And once you are right with the Father through what Jesus did on the Cross, you are right with the Father forever.
“Come now let’s settle this,” says The Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they be red like crimson, I will make them white as wool.” Isaiah 1:18.
3. Jesus frees us to forgive ourselves
Jesus forgives and forgets.
To be ultimately free is when I possess the will and power to be what God wants me to be.
A C T I O N S T E P S:
1. Have you asked Jesus into your life? Do it now! Let Him clean you up and set you free.
2. Does He live in you but you are carrying a lot of baggage filled with sins and mistakes?
Read 1 John 1:9 and do what it says!
3. Pass this blog along to 3 people who could benefit from this message.