So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law. Galatians 5:1 (NLT)
My husband and I had an opportunity to go on a youth mission trip to Poland. We also took along a number of our teenage youth group members. Woo-hoo! Lol. I am kidding, of course. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life. Our little group (through Jesus shed blood) had been freed from the bondage and penalty of our sin. So, we wanted to see others be freed as well. Some of our teens knew that they had Freedom, but in terms of what next, they had Freedom! Now What?
Poland was a beautiful place with architecture that was thousands (not hundreds like the architecture here in the U.S.) of years old. Yes, thousands! The Polish people were not warm and welcoming. Most of the people were very withdrawn, guarded and stoic. But not the teens. The teens that we were working with were just like our kids. They were outgoing, fun-loving, happy kids — some from horrendous backgrounds, but typical teens nonetheless.
I couldn’t understand the difference in the generations. My husband reminded me that they had only been out of communism for 10 years. That life had been both stifling and frightening. With periods of martial law and secret police, no one socialized or dared to speak an opinion.
Yet, the older generations somehow found comfort in the familiarity of Communism. The provisions provided by the government were their security. This generation knew where they would live. They would live in the 100 sq. ft. apartment provided by the government. They didn’t have to think about careers or futures because the government told them which factory to work in and what to do. Communism was their security and their fear. That Government provided just enough to keep them from revolting, but nothing more. The reality is that these people were in bondage and kept captive by their government. Some fought hard to keep Communism. They had been lulled into a false sense of security.
The Polish people were, incredibly, oppressed. Now, they suddenly found themselves thrust into democracy. They had Freedom! Now what?
I can’t help but think about our lives before Christ and how it is reminiscent of that life of Communism. The life lived by those older generations of Pols.
We live/lived our lives separate from God, being told by the world and the enemy that everything is acceptable. And, we become our own god and we decide what is right for us. We are told by the world and the enemy that this is “freedom”.
But, the reality is that this too is bondage. “Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.” John 8:34. And, “They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.” 2 Peter 2:19.
We can only obtain, true, freedom through Jesus Christ. When we repent of our sin and submit to Him. “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36.
Through the freedom that Jesus provides, sin is no longer our master. We are no longer in bondage to sin. We have Freedom! Now what? “For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.” Romans 6:14.
In Jesus we have freedom from condemnation. “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8:1
Through the freedom found in Jesus, guilt has no hold over us any longer. “I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I did not hide; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”; And You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah.” Psalm 32:5.
And, in Christ, we are freed from the penalty of our sin. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23.
So, in Christ we have freedom! Now what?
Are we going to live like the older generations of Pols, as though we are still in bondage? Will we find security in the familiarity of the sin that we once knew and return to it? Will we seek out and resort to old patters of behavior?
Or, will we live like free men and women?! Will we embrace our freedom and flee from sin?! “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” 2 Timothy 2:22.
Freedom comes at a price. The freedoms that we so proudly boast about here in the United States, had a price. Brave men and women paid for those freedoms. They willingly defended those freedoms with their very lives.
True freedom, found only in Christ, had an even greater cost. He too was willing to pay for this freedom with His life. But, this freedom could only be bought with perfection. Perfection that we could not attain. So, it was purchased with the life of the Son of God! God knew that mankind had no way to pay the penalty for their sin. We all faced the punishment which is eternal damnation. But, Jesus was sacrificed so that we might be freed from that penalty. And willingly He paid the penalty with His own life!
Freedom (like salvation) is provided by God (through the shed blood of Christ). And, just like salvation, it is a choice. But, unlike salvation (which, once attained can never be taken from us), freedom has to be chosen. Day by day and moment by moment we have to choose freedom.
When we seek Jesus, we find freedom (when we repent). When we reject sin (through the power of the Holy Spirit), we find freedom. And, when we subject ourselves to the Father’s will, we find freedom. “But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.” Galatians 3:22 (NLT).
Freedom! Now what? Now let’s live as people who have been set free. Let us choose to live out our freedom, glorifying the one who set us free. And, therefore, let us be an example to those who are yet prisoners so that they too might be set free.
And, let us not pick up the chains that once bound us and put them on again. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything.” 1 Corinthians 6:12.
I pray that today, we would rejoice in the freedom that we have found in Christ. I pray that we would live that out so boldly that others would desire to have a relationship with Him, too. Father, never let us take our freedom in Christ for granted. Instead, let us always be mindful of the high price paid to allow these prisoners to be set free.
If you do not know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior and if you are in bondage to sin, shame and guilt, I pray that you would go to our Life Preserver page (https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/) right now and pray the prayer that is outlined there. I promise that what you have been experiencing, apart from Christ, is not freedom. Jesus wants to set you free. And, through that freedom God will adopt you as His own child, because He loves you! Please pray this prayer and once you do reach out to me at admin@Forgiven-N-Loved.com and let me know. I’d love to be in prayer for you.
Luv Ya!
