Freedom Walk

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. Romans 8:11

Are you as free as you can be?

As Christians, we profess to be free from death, sin, and the grave.

Free from eternal damnation.

And yes, that would be correct.

As a Christian, you have placed your trust in Jesus, and He has paid the penalty for your sin.

So, yes, technically, you are free from all of the above.

But what about freedom as we step upon this earth?

Are you walking as if you are free?

Just because you are free from the penalty of sin, does not mean you are free from its effects.

Do you feel pitiful and ugly when someone ignores you?

Do you feel a rush of anger when someone wrongs you?

Do you feel sarcastic while belittling someone who doesn’t understand you right away?

Do you put others down, lifting yourself up instead?

Do you put your needs first, serving your number one above all else?

Do you refuse to look at life through the lens of another, wanting your way instead?

How are you at listening?

Or, gasp, asking for forgiveness when you are wrong?

How are you at even admitting you are wrong?

Do you help others before asked?

Leave the room better than before you walked in?

When we do not clothe ourselves with the fruits of the spirit, walking as Jesus did, we are not free.

When we jump to satisfy ourselves over others, we are not free.

When we listen to lies in our head, we are not free.

When we become defeated in our many mistakes, we are not free.

Only with the power of God, can we break the chains that bind us.

Speak Jesus’ name over what binds you.

Over your flesh that speaks louder than your spirit.

Cancel the enemy’s assignments and send it to the dry desert.

Ask Jesus to cover you with His wisdom, power, strength, and joy.

And remember, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you.

That, my friends, is freedom.

Photos by Michael BaccinRikke HembreAnita Austvika, & Olivia Snow on Unsplash

Running Free

But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. Malachi 4:2

Are you running into the freedom God has for you?

Running from the lies you have believed?

Running from the temptations that once held you captive?

Running from the ill reactions you normally exhibit?

Malachi reminds us that when you fear God’s name, when you are His beloved child, He will respond with healing.

Healing your mind.

Healing your will.

Healing your emotions.

When you ask Him to change you, freeing you from nasty ingrained responses, He will.

He promises you will not only be free, but you will run like a wild animal.

Uncontrollably free.

Decide to trust Him.

Read His word, worship, and pray.

And run as you are free.

Smile because you are loved.

Rejoice because you are His.

There is no turning back.

Every time you are tempted to return to the pit, align yourself with God and run free towards Him instead.

Run forward with God, never looking back.

Photos by Malik Skydsgaardsporlab, & lucas Favre on Unsplash

Living Free

Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 1 Peter 2:16

Do you live as if you are free?

Free from sin, death, and the grave?

Free from past shame, burdens, or guilt?

Free from dwelling in fear?

Free from depressing thoughts arresting your mind?

Free from knowing you must do everything in your own strength?

When you live as a servant of God, the Creator of all things, you must. Live free.

God’s power not only saved you for eternity once your earthly breath ceases, but he saved you to live free today.

And tomorrow. And the next day.

He freed you, breaking off the chains which hold you in captivity.

The captivity of past sin, fear, listening to the devil’s lies, and on and on it goes.

But God did not free you to sin.

God’s freedom does not provide a license for evil.

For doing your own thing under the disguise of God’s way.

For wrapping yourself in selfishness while waiting for God to announce His plans for you.

He did not free us to cover up the evil we find on our own.

He freed us for now. To showcase His power.

Live as Scrooge when he discovered his future could be altered by his changed nature. By his newfound kindness and generosity.

When Scrooge discovered he still had Time, he was beside himself with freedom.

And he was never the same, always remembering the freedom he possessed, which he did not deserve.

The freedom Scrooge found through witnessing his future determined by his selfish choices.

And choosing to be different. To be generous. To live as a person freed from this world’s sin. That’s what Scrooge did.

So, what about you? Remember Whose you are.

Remember Whose power courses through your veins.

And remember Whose witness you are to the world He created.

Live as God’s servant, freed by Himself to be a light in His world for those still dwelling in darkness.

Photos by Gabriel Goller, Anita Austvika, Vladimir Fedotov, & Christian Dubovan on Unsplash