10 Aug 25 FREEDOM

Some of us grew up in an era where freedom meant to do what ever we wanted.  As we matured, we realized the part that we also had the freedom to choose to do God’s will. I remember a song from my childhood/young adulthood that said “Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose.”  Janis Joplin sang Me and Bobby Maggee.  It suggests that true freedom comes from a state of having nothing to lose, implying a liberation from the constraints of attachments and possessions. This idea is a double-edged sword, as it can be both freeing and potentially painful to be in a position where one has nothing to lose.  This concept explores freedom as a nomadic, perhaps even impoverished, lifestyle. It implies that without the burdens of possessions, relationships, or responsibilities, one is free to wander and live without the constraints of those attachments.  God gave the freedom to choose whatever we want to do just like that.  Jesus gave us the Freedom choose to escape the bondage of sin.  My favorite verses about Godly freedom come from five short verses. 

We have FREEDOM IN CHRIST:  Galatians 5:1 “It is for FREEDOM that Christ has set us FREE. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”  CHRIST OFFERS TRUE, LASTING FREEDOM FROM BONDAGE of sin

We have FREEDOM THROUGH THE SPIRIT:  2 Corinthians 3:17 “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is FREEDOM.” This is because FREEDOM FLOWS FROM THE PRESENCE OF the holy spirit

We have TRUE FREEDOM: John 8:36 “So if the Son sets you FREE you will be FREE INDEED.” #JESUS OFFERS COMPLETE FREEDOM THAT THE mortal WORLD CANNOT GIVE

We have also FREEDOM TO choose to SERVE:  Galatians 5:13 “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be FREE. But do not use your FREEDOM to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” This because FREEDOM IS A GIFT MEANT TO BE USED TO BLESS OTHERS

We also have the gift of FREEDOM FROM FEAR: Romans 8:15 “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.” This is because CHRIST BRINGS CONFIDENCE, NOT FEAR

FREEDOM   Godly Freedom can mean so many things for us.  We have gifts from God and are expected to pass on those gifts.  Jesus added to that and also gave us instructions when gave us freedom from sin.

In 1 Thessalonians 5 The Day of the Lord 5 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, ² for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. ³ While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. ⁴ But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. ⁵ You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. ⁶ So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. ⁷ For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. ⁸ But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. ⁹ For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁰ He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. ¹¹ Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Final Instructions ¹² Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. ¹³ Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. ¹⁴ And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. ¹⁵ Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. ¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. ¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not treat prophecies with contempt ²¹ but test them all; hold on to what is good, ²² reject every kind of evil. ²³ May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. ²⁵ Brothers and sisters, pray for us. ²⁶ Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss. ²⁷ I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters. ²⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

We have freedom and we know what we are supposed to follow.  In the world of adulthood, we realize that we have can have it all.  We can have FREEDOM IN CHRIST because CHRIST OFFERS TRUE, LASTING FREEDOM FROM SIN AND BONDAGE

We have FREEDOM THROUGH THE SPIRIT because freedom FLOWS FROM THE PRESENCE OF the holy spirit

We have TRUE FREEDOM in that Jesus OFFERS COMPLETE FREEDOM THAT THE mortal WORLD CANNOT GIVE

We have also FREEDOM TO choose to SERVE and TO BLESS OTHERS

We also have the gift of FREEDOM FROM FEAR because CHRIST BRINGS CONFIDENCE, NOT FEAR that he can help us endure anything.

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