Posts
Thursday, June 30
What comes to your mind when you think of freedom? How about…*free with no curfews
*free with no restrictions
*free to go where you please
*free to be with whomever you desire
*free to do what you want when you want
*free with no strings attached to anyone or anything
If we follow after these, are we truly free? The truth is that the world gives us a false perception of freedom. It leads us down a dark path, sometimes with no return.
So, what is freedom? Part of the dictionaries’ definitions says that it means exemption from the power and control of another, not in bondage.
Jesus died to release use from our bondage to the enemy, “For He has rescued us out of the darkness and gloom of Satan’s kingdom and brought us into the Kingdom of His dear Son, who bought our freedom with His blood and forgave us all our sins.” (Col. 1:13-14 TLB)
If Jesus disentangled us from the enemy’s web of bondage, then we need to heed Paul’s advice to the Galatians, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” (Gal. 5:1 NKJV)
Therefore, freedom does not mean free to do what one pleases. We cannot go back into sinful ways. As Peter said, “Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.” (1 Peter 2:16 NIV)
Freedom is never free; it always comes with a price tag. Somewhere along the line, someone had to pay for whatever freedom we enjoy. Just as many have lost their lives in service to this country to give us physical freedom from our tangible enemies, so Jesus gave His life to give us spiritual freedom from our invisible enemy...for eternity!
God sent Jesus to free us from sin, as the Word says, “Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.” (Rom. 6:14 NLT)
We cannot keep returning for a taste of the world, like nibbling on appetizers. Pretty soon, we find ourselves eating a full meal of it, all the way through to dessert, and paying a different kind of price for it.
When we accept the Christian life, we welcome a new form of rule into our lives. I know, sounds like an oxymoron, doesn’t it? Free when controlled. It is freedom from the world and freedom in the Lord.
Paul told the Colossians, “You have died with Christ, and He has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world?” (Col. 2:20 NLT)
Only when we are under the control of the Holy Spirit are we then truly free, as Paul said, “For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (2 Cor. 3:17 NLT)
When we know true freedom in Christ, we are then released to be all that God created us to be as we follow that True Path God has designed for us, which is The Way, The Truth, and The Life.
The disciple John wrote, “So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.” (John 8:36 NLT) But do we place our lives totally in His hands, trusting and depending on Him to have authority over us? How free are we?
We should again heed Paul’s words to the Galatians, “For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.” (Gal. 5:14 NLT)
My prayer for you all: “Dear friends, God the Father chose you long ago and knew you would become His children. And the Holy Spirit has been at work in your hearts, cleansing you with the blood of Jesus Christ and making you to please Him. May God bless you richly and grant you increasing freedom from all anxiety and fear.” (1 Peter 1:2 TLB)
**Though this is a repost, I thought it appropriate for the ChristianWriters.com blog chain on the topic freedom. I hope you will visit the other entries listed in the right sidebar for the month of July.
Thank you, Lynn. Beautifully put.
Thank you so much, Carol! I always appreciate your visits! Bless you!
Even though you mention it as a re-post it still definitely is worth telling again. Great start for the month.
Hey, Chris! Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. I deeply appreciate it! Blessings to you!
"Freedom is never free" - totally agree with that. At the very least, complete freedom gives us nothing better than anarchy. The structured freedom we find in our walk with the Lord is the only freedom that offers us peace and security.
As you so appropriately wrote "freedom is never free - there is always a price tag", my praise is freedom in Christ was given to us as a total gift-free of charge. This gift cost us nothing but our pride in ourselves thinking we can manipulate the rules and be our own governors. I am so grateful that the Lord did not leave us in our ignorance. Hallelujah!!!
Wow Lynn, you've nailed it with this one! I like the idea of our freedom to serve one another in love... and, for many, finding freedom from anxiety and fear would be worth at least listening to, right? Thank you this on-the-mark post!!
Well put Lynn. "Therefore, freedom does not mean free to do what one pleases", you're so right, that would be called anarchy, right?!
Freedom to me is indeed freedom from bondage, from guilt and shame... Great post, thanks for sharing.
Lynn,
A great and wonderful post as always. You and I are on the same track. I sat down this evening to write my piece and then read yours. I always love reading your words.It always brings me great peace.
This bears reading more than once. I think I will return to it. Some very good thoughts on freedom in Christ.
Thanks Lyn.
Excellent kick off to this month's theme. May we never forget the price of freedom
Hey, Katie! Thanks so much for visiting and commenting. I'm so glad you stopped by. Makes my heart happy! Blessings to you!
Amen, Terrie! So true. I so appreciate your comment. Thank you so much. Blessings!
Wow! Thanks so much, Chris. Thank you for your kind comment. I appreciate it. Bless you!
You are so right, Marja! Amen! Thanks so much, sweetie! Love you!
Aww, Debra, you are too kind! Thank you, sweetie! I look forward to reading yours! Blessings!
Oh, my! Thank you, Adam! You've made my heart very happy. Bless you!
Thank you so much, Tracy! I deeply appreciate your visit and comment. Blessings to you!
I love Paul's words, "use your freedom to serve one another in love.” That's when we begin to taste freedom, begin to experience the joy of surrender and the blessing of living for Someone greater than ourselves. Beautiful beginning to a month of Freedom posts, Lynn!
Good way to kick-off the July Blog Chain, Lynn. I couldn't agree more, Freedom is Never Free.
Peace and Blessings
Nice kickoff for our "Freedom" chain, Lynn. It's true, a lot of people think freedom means they can do what they want, regardless of anyone else. You did a great job delineating between freedom and responsibility.
By the way, at the top of the chain list, I wondered what "fredeom" was. ;)
~ VT
happy you re-posted this. Big Hugs!
Hey Lynn - good points on true freedom in Christ! I know what it's like to be in a prison of your own fashioning. I'd rather be free in the Lord than sitting in the world's jail cell of lies. A life sentence in a prison of delusions is no comparison to freedom for all eternity with our Savior who paid the price for our release. Thanks & Happy 4th of July! :)
My Independence Day post is similar [great minds think alike].
Amen, Cindee! What a wonderful comment! Thank you so much for stopping by. Bless you!
EG, thanks so much! I deeply appreciate having you comment. Bless you!
Thank you so much, Victor! You make my heart happy! Bless you!
Thanks, Katie-kins! So happy to have you visit! Blessings to you!
Oh, Deborah, so true! So true! I noticed your post was similar. Getting ready to read it! Thanks so much for your comment. Bless you!
July!
Yes, Lynn, too many think freedom means doing anything they want. You illustrated through scripture how real freedom works. And, of course this is very appropriate for this weekend. Hope you are having a great holiday.
Very nice and for someone who just got here a repost is as good as a first post.
Ceci, thank you so much, sweetie. I always appreciate your kind comments. Blessings to you!
Yawarakai, thank you so much for stopping by and commenting. I deeply appreciate it! Bless you!
Slavery to sin . . . or slavery to righteousness (Rom. 6:18). Not absolute freedom--but freedom from, which is the best kind anyway.
Nicely put, Lynn. And great start to the month. Happy birthday!
- Scott
Thanks so much, Scott, for the comment and the birthday wish! I appreciate it. Blessings to you!
"If we follow after these, are we truly free? The truth is that the world gives us a false perception of freedom."
Well said.
It's funny how the world also distorts what it means to be free in Christ...until people step up and witness about what God has done for them.
I know that I'm WAY late with my comment, but better late than never?
"It is freedom from the world and freedom in the Lord."
Amen and Amen. Thank you for this, Lynn.
Thanks so much, Mike! Somehow I missed your comment. Thank you so much for your kind words. Bless you!
LOL No problem, Nona! I just appreciate that you stopped by! Thanks so much! Blessings to you!