“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Gal. 5:1
It’s the Fourth of July holiday that is set aside to remember and revel in the freedom we enjoy as citizens of America. Two things immediately come to mind as I think of the Fourth. First, I thank God for this country, as broken as she is, and second, for the liberties and privileges we enjoy as citizens of the United States granted from Him to us.
But, that for which I’m most grateful, as I think of the Fourth, is the quintessential freedom we enjoy as citizens of heaven—members of the “chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession… called out of darkness into His wonderful light” (1 Pet. 2:9). There’s no freedom like the freedom we have in our Lord Jesus.
To be set free by Him is to be “free indeed” (John 8:36).
1. Free from the guilt of our sin, for Jesus took our place on the cross, exhausting the judgment we deserve.
2. Free from the power of sin, for He broke sin’s dominion in our lives.
3. Free from the fear of death, for Jesus has removed its sting and robbed the grave of its victory.
4. Free from the fear of life, for now, “to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
By the gospel, Jesus set us free to obey God from our hearts, and not out of pride, pragmatics, or pretense. By His life, death, resurrection and ascension, He has given us freedom to come boldly to the throne of grace—into the very Holy of Holies. Repentance is now and always a joyful and liberating experience; for He bore our shame, and we don’t have to pretend or pose anymore.
We’ve been set free to risk new things; for life is no longer about performance or the fear of failure, but about His praise and glory, only. We now boast in our weakness, instead of bemoaning our weakness, all because of what Jesus has done for us. Suffering isn’t something to be avoided at all costs, but embraced through the sufficiency of His grace. Oh, the difference the gospel makes!
My prayer today and every day is that, by the power of the gospel, I/we will seek to stand firm in these and the many more freedoms God has granted to us by Christ’s cross work. I never want to fall back into the old ways of legalism and moralism, grace-less performance and fearful living. What a Savior He is! What a salvation that He has freely given us so that we are finally set free!
God Bless and Happy 4th !!!
In His Grip,
Pastor Mike
