So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36
When I first came to have a personal relationship with Jesus, I knew (for the first time in my life) freedom.
When I repented of my sin and asked God to forgive me, just as He says He will, He forgave me (If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9). That forgiveness, of the guilt of my sin was a big part of my new found freedom.
But there are many aspects of the freedom that God provides us with, once Christ is our Savior:
1. There is the freedom from the consequences, of sin, that we couldn’t pay ourselves, but Jesus paid for us (He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24).
2. There is freedom when (through obedience to God and gratitude for the forgiveness we have found in Jesus) we begin to resist temptation and sin. Those things that the world says are fun, but we know are sin, are in reality bondage. They weigh us down spiritually, emotionally and mentally (For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 & Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. John 8:34). As we continue to reject sin and attempt to walk in a Christ like manner, we obtain more and more freedom.
3. We have the freedom to serve God in the earth. We are free to love others and free to exhibit the power obtained through the Holy Spirit and used for God’s purposes and as He wills (“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7).
God also provides us with a freedom that is particularly helpful in times like these. The freedom from fear. No matter what kind of natural disaster may occur, He is our place of safety and strength (God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea. Psalm 46:1-2).
Proverbs 1:33 says that if we listen to God we will find security and will not fear disaster (“But whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.” Proverbs 1:33). And to listen to God, we simply need to pray, read His word and heed the voice of the Holy Spirit. Because in times of uncertainty, He IS speaking peace into our lives…the question is, are we listening to Him or the roar of the media and those who have no hope?
God doesn’t want us to live in fear the way we used to. He wants us to know the safety that we did as children when we were certain that our earthly Daddy would protect us. Well, our Heavenly Father will protect us far better and desires that we would rest in His care, peace and comfort, as sons and daughters tucked safely in our Heavenly Dad’s arms (“For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’” Romans 8:15).
When we do trust God in that way, we will sleep like we did when we were those children who felt safe in their father’s care (If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet Proverbs 3:24).
God, has promised to love, care for, protect and provide for us and our future. He wants us to be free of fear, we just have to lay our burdens at the foot of the cross and trust our Heavenly Father to watch over and protect us. Trust Him!
I pray that we would lay our burdens at the foot of the cross and rest in our Heavenly Father’s arms. I pray that we would be enveloped by the peace and comfort that He is offering. And I pray that we would have that sweet sleep He promises, when we do trust God and His promises.
As followers of Christ we have been witnesses to His power, the power to forgive our sins, free us from the guilt, penalty and bondage of that sin and transform us into a new creation (Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17). After all of that, how can we doubt that He will protect and comfort us? Rest in your loving Heavenly Fathers arms, there is safety there!
If you are not a follower of Jesus Christ and you are experiencing uncertainty, anxiety and fear, know that God does not want you to experience those feelings. In the Garden of Eden, those feelings and concerns were not present, and they won’t be in Heaven either. It is sin that brought those feelings into our lives. By trusting Jesus as Lord and Savior, you can find forgiveness and freedom. Please go to our Life Preserver page (https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/) and pray the prayer that is outlined there. God wants to forgive you and comfort you during these difficult times. Please pray that prayer and once you have, reach out to me at admin@Forgiven-N-Loved.com. I’d love to be in prayer for you.
Luv Ya!
