A Place Called Freedom
Posted on November 2, 2017 by Graeme Wilson in Freedom Fighters
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
— 2nd Corinthians 3:17
There are times I get lost in thought and my wife will ask, “where are you?” The question is not a location inquiry, but a mental one. We all can get lost in thought but the question is, where do you reside?
If someone were to ask you “were do you live” would you think to answer with a mental description rather than a physical place? Instead of giving them your address give them your positional circumstances. We all visit different types of emotions as we go through life, but where do you live? How would you describe the majority of your thought life?
In the 2nd letter to the Corinthian church, Paul seems to be trying to move people from the life of bondage to a life of freedom by liberating them through the truth of the New Covenant. “For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory” (2nd Corinthians 3:9). There are not many of us living by the law, but we are also not residing in freedom. Freedom comes with the acknowledgement and understanding that we are free in Christ, saved by Grace. For me to legitimately put this into practice it helps to think of it as my residence. “Where do you live,” bondage or freedom? There’s a place called Freedom and like the song lyrics say, referring to Christ, “And where you are, I am free. Holiness is Christ in me. Lord I need You, oh I need You, every hour I need You, my one defense, my Righteousness, oh God, how I need You.”
I think what we believe to be true will determine our outlook on life. The fact that we have the Holy Spirit of God in us that helps us interpret the scriptures should help us to live in freedom. This place called freedom is the location of the absence of bondage, it frees us from the things that hold us back and keep us content. Paul writes to the Galatian church in chapter 5, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” The deception can be if we abuse freedom it turns into bondage, with freedom comes responsibility. For you were called to freedom, brothers. Paul warns us also in Galatians 5, “Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
The directions to get to the freedom destination is through faith and viewing life’s challenges through God’s promises, listen to James chapter 1. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. “Lacking in nothing” is another description for freedom.
If you’re living in defeat put a “For Sale” sign up and move to the neighborhood where Freedom is found, on Jesus Street. Amen!
Written by Rob Russomano: Rob Russomano is married to Terri, he is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a full time staff member. He is also available as a speaker of the grace of God with a message of Hope for church events. You can contact him at rrussomano@americaskeswick.org.
The Daily Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 1-2| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here
Daily Quote: “To secure one’s freedom the Christian must experience God’s light which is God’s truth.” – Watchman Nee
This Week’s Verse to Memorize:
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Romans 1:20-21v
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