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Spiritual Freedom
In light of the upcoming patriotic holiday, I have been reflecting upon the meaning of freedom. The challenge in gleaning a proper understanding of this term arises in the many varied definitions and the plethora of individual ideas that shape the essence and significance of this word. And honestly this can be confusing, really confusing. On a daily basis there are conflicting messages conveyed through media, politics, present day culture, and popular opinion that have the potential to dominate our thoughts and shape our views regarding the truth of what freedom actually is.
Freedom defined…
Freedom is the power or right to act, speak, and change as one wants without hindrance or restraint. Freedom is often associated with liberty and autonomy in the sense of “giving oneself one’s own laws”…. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom wikipedia
This is but one of many similar descriptions and working definitions of the word freedom. It’s straightforward, not at all complicated and completely easy to understand. But my question is, is this truly freedom? It looks good on paper and it certainly reads well, but in reality is “giving one’s self one’s own laws”, genuinely freedom? Perhaps to some, possibly even the majority, but I believe based on scripture, which I’m not ashamed to say is my personal filter, that the pathway to freedom is not a matter of living by personal convictions and individual desires, but rather by biblical understanding and spiritual truth.
Spiritual Truth sets us free…
Jesus said…
You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:31-32 NLT
Jesus came to earth filled with grace and truth. (John 1:14). He was actually the Truth of God encased in a physical body. Beginning with His miraculous birth, followed by His earthly ministry, culminating in His death on a cross, and climaxing in His resurrection from the grave, His entire life from start to finish was a picture of the truth and revelation of The Word,(Logos), of God. In one incredibly memorable scene in His life, Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit following forty days of temptation in the wilderness, entered the Synagogue on the Sabbath and began to read from the Book of the Law…
The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are oppressed, To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord. Luke 4:18-19 (NASB1995)
Jesus publicly declared freedom…
Jesus proclaimed freedom to the poor in spirit as well as the financially destitute. He released people from religious and spiritual bondages. He opened the eyes and ears of the physically and spiritually blind and deaf. He healed broken bodies and broken hearts. He consistently extended compassion, mercy, grace and forgiveness. He demonstrated the love of His Father in everything He did and everywhere He went. He liberated prisoners and He set captives free!
It is clear through scripture that the heartbeat and mission of God has always been centered on rescuing and freeing His people. Included in the Old Testament is an abundance of prophecies, recorded miracles and mighty works revealing Yahweh’s zealous commitment to lead His people to freedom. And ultimately God’s hesed, relentless love, was made visible and tangible in the physical representation of His Son. It is through the ministry and person of Jesus, that God the Father declared a message of peace, salvation, deliverance and freedom.
Following my review of the gospels and writings of the apostles, I perceive seven major concentrations in regard to Jesus’ mission of liberating people with truth leading
to freedom…
- Freedom from fear…
…Jesus said… Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid. Matthew 14:27 (NIV)
(See Matthew 14: 22-32 for full narrative)
- Freedom from religious deception…
Jesus answered…. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:3 (ESV)
(Read full conversation between Nicodemus, a religious Pharisee and Jesus John 3:1-14)
- Freedom from sin…
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 (NASB1995)
- Freedom from sickness
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24 (ESV)
(See also Isaiah 53:5)
- Freedom from guilt and condemnation
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. John 3:17 (ESV)
- Freedom from cares and worry…
…Jesus said,That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. Luke 12:22 (NLT)
(For full teaching on worry read Luke 12:22-34)
- Freedom from spiritual death…
Jesus said… I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this? John 11:25-26 (NASB1995)
Although I have included only one scripture for each of the freedom line items listed above, there are additionally many other empowering scriptures that support each of these freedom categories. Saturating our hearts, minds and spirits with the realities of scripture is a critical first step in the process of obtaining truth and walking in spiritual freedom.
I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments. Psalms 119:45 (NLT)
The following is what the Bible reveals to be true about spiritual freedom:
It’s a gift from God. It’s something He declares over us. It’s not based on our feelings, circumstances, challenges or season of life. Additionally it is not a reflection of our current experience, nor is it earned by good works or self effort. Rather, spiritual freedom is a condition of the spirit, and because it is a pronouncement from God, it is instantaneous and it cannot be revoked.
So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. John 8:36 (NLT)
This is good news indeed! At the same time, just like the spiritual gifts of peace or joy, it is our responsibility as recipients to steward these gifts by willingly receiving them by faith and extending them with grace. At various times, as we journey through life, we will all experience seasons of adversity, be it physical, financial, relational or spiritual. And if we are not vigilant these circumstances will attempt to deceive us into believing we are not free. However this is simply not true as trials are temporary, but God’s Word is eternal. And it is highly critical during these challenging times to intentionally turn from worry and fear to worship and prayer in the Holy Spirit.
For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17 (NLT)
Which leads me to an amazing illustration regarding what true spiritual freedom actually looks like…
I present to you the Apostle Paul and his protege’ Silas, imprisoned for preaching the gospel…..
(The full narrative of this incredible story is recorded in Acts 16:16-40)
Story Summary…
During a missionary journey through the city of Philippi, Paul and Silas encountered a slave girl, possessed by a spirit that enabled her to tell the future. In addition to attracting crowds by her occultic supernatural ability, she earned a lot of money for her master. When the unnamed girl encounters Paul and Silas, she begins shouting…
These men are servants of the Most High God, and they have come to tell you how to be saved. Acts of the Apostles 16:17 (NLT)
Each day as the fortune-telling slave girl saw Paul and Silas, she continued relentlessly shouting the same exact message. Finally Paul, completely exasperated by the entire scenario, looked directly at the girl and addressed the demon spirit within her saying…
I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. Acts of the Apostles 16:18 (NLT)
And this authoritative, Holy Spirit-filled directive, resulted in the following …
The demon made an immediate mass exit; the slave girl was freed; her master was infuriated; the town was in an uproar; and Paul and Silas were imprisoned…
And although the apostles were unjustly accused, horribly mistreated and unfairly imprisoned, their current horrific circumstances did not overshadow what they knew to be true,
They Were Free!
Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! Acts of the Apostles 16:25-26 (NLT)
And this story only continued to get better as in addition to Paul and Silas being miraculously freed, the jailor and his entire household came to faith in Jesus, and on that very same night were all baptized!
This my friends is a beautiful picture of what true freedom actually looks like. It is a spiritual freedom not dependent on outward circumstances, but rather an inward reality. It looks like true joy in the midst of severe persecution. It sounds like songs of praise in the dark of night. It is a freedom that presses into the goodness of God in the hardest of times. It is a freedom that comes from the Holy Spirit. And it is a gift that Christ has secured for every believer, and this includes you, and this includes me.
We…Are…Free!
For freedom
Christ
has
set us
free….
Galatians 5:1 (ESV)
Personal Reflection:
Carefully Read through the list of the seven concentrations of spiritual freedoms that Christ purchased for us. Acknowledge the gift of freedom you have been given in every one of these areas and lift up your praise and thanks to God.
After reviewing this list did you perceive any area(s) where perhaps you are not experiencing freedom? If so, pray to our loving Father and ask Him for guidance, counsel and a pathway forward to victory.
I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Please answer one or all of these last questions on my gracenotes facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092036573722
True freedom to me means….
• A picture of freedom for me would look like…
• I feel most free when I’m….
I look forward to reading your responses!
Be blessed!
