Searching for True Freedom Published week of May 24, 2020
According to the Bible, true freedom comes through the person of Jesus Christ. Every single person reading this needs to be set free from something. For some, it may be pride, others it may be bitterness, or maybe it is guilt. Perhaps you need to be set free from a sin that is plaguing you day after day. One of the characteristics of sin goes like this, 'the longer we sin, the longer we hold on to the results of sin, and the longer we struggle with the results of sin, the more sin ensnarls us.' If you think about it, this is a never ending cycle that becomes very serious and can hinder our spiritual walk with Christ and even ruin our physical health.
We do not want to be trapped and so we turn to things that we believe can set us free. It may be a new job, a new relationship, or a new and different social status. Sometimes, we turn to tangible things in our search from freedom . . . maybe something we can buy or build. Freedom for many of us becomes the answer—and we believe that some sort of change will provide the answer. Change or escape from the old to the new will at best bring temporary truth and satisfaction.
However, the truth of the matter is that real freedom is only found in Jesus. God's truth is the absolute in our life. It is important to note that the word “absolute” comes from the word solvere, meaning, “to set free.” Put it together and understand that it was on the cross that Jesus died for all of our sins. When we surrender our lives to Him, those sins are forgiven. The net result is that we are absolutely free from them. Now, circle back to the opening sentence I made, 'true freedom comes through the person of Jesus Christ'. The truth is that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again three days later. He invites us to surrender our lives to Him and achieve His purpose on earth and His glory in heaven. This is absolute Truth.
Do you feel imprisoned, burdened, trapped and unable to bear the weight of living life by your own ways and rules? Do you long for something different—to be free of yourself? Do you want something better? Then come to the One who declares, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.(John 14:6). There is freedom in Truth and the true One is Jesus. He alone is the absolute truth that will set you free, for today, and for eternity. Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross to set me free from the imprisonment of sin. I confess that I need the freedom that only You can give. I thank you for giving me eternal life, forgiving my sins, and setting me free. Help me to daily live in the newness of the freedom you have given me because of what Jesus did and continues to do on my behalf. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
