"For Freedom Christ has Set Us Free"
We live in a free country and I am so grateful for that! But right now, for some of us, we are not feeling that free. We have to stay home, we can’t go where we like, or be with whom we like. I read recently of a woman and her husband being cited by the police at a grocery store for not wearing masks. I read of a man who owns a mowing business and is not allowed to mow right now and is having to let his employees go and may have to close down his business for good. And I know that the physical isolation is taking its toll on all of us.
So, today I want to simply remind you that it is Christ who gives you real freedom. Jesus tells us in John 8:36, “Whom the Son sets free is free indeed.” And again, in John 8:32 He says that those who heed His teaching “shall know the truth and the truth shall set them free.” And Paul powerful tells us in Galatians 5:1 that it is “For freedom Christ has set us free…” If you are a Christian you have be set free, for real. But I fear that, particularly in America, we have become so enamored with a temporary and fragile “freedom” that we struggle to perceive and enjoy the true freedom we have access to in Christ.
I read a study[1] this week that found that “Former prison inmates were at a high risk for death after release from prison, particularly during the first 2 weeks.” It also found that the leading cause of death amongst this group is drug overdose. Think about it, after years of being in a cell these people are finally “free” and they use their freedom to do what they want… and look at where it takes them. Please understand, I do not write these words in judgement but rather in sorrow for these people who are more enslaved after prison then during it.
Let me tell you a few stories of what true freedom looks like…
True freedom is seen in Acts 16 when Paul and Silas are in prison for preaching the Gospel, very likely to be put to death. When suddenly the earth shook, they and all the other prisoners’ chains fell off and the doors swung open. The guard sees this and immediately draws his sword to take his own life as he knows what happens to guards who lose prisoners. Paul cries out, “Don’t harm yourself, we are all here.” Paul, Silas and the rest of the prisoners all stayed in order to save this guards life and lead he and his household to Christ. That is true freedom.
True freedom is found in Genesis 40. Where we find Joseph, having been sold into slavery, then wrongfully accused and thrown in prison to apparently die there and he sees to fellow prisoners down cast one day and he goes to them and asks, “Why do you look so sad today?” To be so selfless and kind in the midst of his situation? – Joseph was free.
Freedom is seen when Christ is hanging on the cross, suffering and dying and His killers are standing before Him mocking Him and gambling for His belongings and He cries out “Father forgiven them for they know not what they do!”
Let me finish what Paul started in Galatians 5:1, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.”
What does Paul mean by “do not submit again to…slavery”?
He means don’t mistake doing whatever you like for freedom. See freedom is found, not in doing whatever you like, but rather being joyful in the midst of struggle, finding hope in the darkest of places, serving others – even your enemies – while you are being mistreated. Freedom is seen in not taking revenge when we can, in not being afraid of death. The freedom that Christ has given us can never be threatened or taken away by any person or situation.
If the Son has set you free, then you are free indeed.
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