You can fight. It’s born in you to take punishment and still plug ahead.”
–Ernest Haycox (Deep West)
“Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'”
–John 8:31-32 (NIV)
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There is much talk of freedom, and, of course, this Wednesday we will celebrate Independence Day – freedom from the tyranny of the British Empire. However, there are few who could actually tell you what freedom is. Most would probably say that it means you can do anything that you want to do. Freedom actually comes from the work of Christ’s finished work on the cross and our desire to be obedient and live a godly life.
I mentioned three things last week in which we have freedom over, and will add to that today. We are:
1) Free from fear
2) Free from guilt
3) Free from responsibility for the world
4) Free from worry about God’s will.
God will work out His purpose for us. We do not have to simmer and stew about what He wants us to do. First, we have His Word. If we are into the Bible, we know the will of God for our lives. Then, we also have the Holy Spirit, walking right beside us to show us the correct way.
5) Free from vested interest.
No one can own you. If we have God’s Word and are following it then we do not have to find or ask for second opinions. If God is truly the owner of our lives, that life He purchased with His precious blood, then we should have a tremendous feeling of freedom. We find we are truly servants.
6) Free from manipulation.
If you have no rights and belong to God, then no one can be manipulated. It is when we clamor for rights that men will claim to have another truth and if you follow them you can be free. But if you have no rights, then none can be taken away.
Stephen Brown states, “It is important to have convictions, but unless there is a sovereign God behind those convictions, the convictions will eventually dissipate in the face of power or money or manipulation.”
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“Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and 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