Set Free...to Proclaim Freedom

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. ~ Galatians 5:1.

As children of the King, we know that our Father loves us and that He has a beautiful story to tell about Himself through each of our unique life stories. And yet, too often we become "burdened again by a yoke of slavery". Have you felt this burden? Have you ever been guilty of sabotaging your own freedom in Christ?

Sometimes our perspective in life becomes inappropriately skewed by various things: financial anxiety, relational conflict, inner turmoil over past sin, the futility of the daily grind, a lack of purpose, seemingly "unanswered" prayers, and the list goes on..

But Christ has called us to a life of freedom! As we allow this freedom to take root in our very heart and soul, God will plant seeds within us that will grow and blossom into His purpose for our lives - a purpose much greater than we could ever dream up on our own.

Reflect for a few moments on those first days of real freedom in your walk with Christ and the feeling of absolute amazement that God could use you because you were truly FREE. That feeling - and that freedom – are yours for the taking each day by simply choosing to believe Galatians 5:1.

So – have you been sabotaging your freedom? And if so, will you decide instead to walk in the freedom that Jesus paid such a high price to give you? Someone else's freedom may just depend on your answer. GO and PROCLAIM FREEDOM today!

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. ~ Galatians 5:1.

Freedom Isn't Free

On July 4, 1776, after months of heated debate, representatives of the Continental Congress voted unanimously that “these United Colonies are and of right ought to be Free and Independent States.”

In an excerpt from the book They Signed For Us, we read the following:

Suddenly the big bell in the State House steeple pealed joyously. The appointed signal! Cheers rose from the waiting crowds. ‘Proclaim liberty throughout the land….’

Cannon boomed; drums rolled. Church bells rang, sounding the death knell of British domination! News of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence spread like wildfire. Ready messengers leaped into their saddles to ride and spread the word.

On July 8, Colonel John Nixon mounted a high platform and spoke in a strong, clear voice to a hushed crowd who listened intently..  “..for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.”

Remind you of anything – another time in history perhaps?

Jesus Christ came to set us free from the death grip of Satan’s domination! And in the New Testament, we are ‘eyewitnesses’ to the faithful support of His followers. They pledged their lives and their fortune for His honor, His glory. They were “ready messengers” spreading the Good News of freedom in Christ.

Our freedom is a gift – but it wasn’t free for those who purchased it – and it wasn’t free for Christ. He paid with His very life to obtain it.

Standing in Devotion to One Another

Reese and RobinsonJackie Robinson was the first black man to play major league baseball. While breaking baseball’s racial barrier, he faced taunts and jeers from crowds in every stadium. During a particular game in his home stadium in Brooklyn, Robinson committed an error. His own fans immediately began to ridicule him without ceasing. There he stood at second base – humiliated; and feeling incredibly defeated.

Then something wonderful happened. Dodger shortstop Pee Wee Reese walked over and stood next to Jackie Robinson. He put his arm around him and faced the crowd – who suddenly grew quiet.

"Pee Wee kind of sensed the sort of hopeless, dead feeling in me and came over and stood beside me for a while," Robinson recalled. "He didn't say a word, but he looked over at the chaps who were yelling at me.. and just stared. He was standing by me. I will never forget it."

Statue commemorating this event

Christ is like that with us only on a much grander scale. He knew we were dead in our transgressions and he did the unthinkable to rescue us from a life, an eternity, of hopelessness and despair. He gave his very life for us – and to this day he stands by us as our enemy, the devil, seeks to steal, kill, and destroy us.

As followers of Christ, we are to be like him, to stand by our brothers and sisters in Christ in pure devotion – holding them up in love from the attacks of the enemy.

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. – Romans 12:10 

Devoted to a Cause Greater than Ourselves

Earlier this month we recalled the anniversary of D-Day. On June 6, 1944, 160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily fortified French coastline in their efforts to defeat Nazi Germany. General Dwight D. Eisenhower called the operation a crusade in which “we will accept nothing less than full victory.” The cost of lives was high on D-Day, as more than 9,000 Allied soldiers gave their lives or were wounded. Even so, by the end of the day, the Allies gained a foothold in Normandy – and more than 100,000 soldiers began to march across Europe to defeat Hitler.

Each soldier was devoted to the cause of freedom – completely sold out and willing to place his life on the line for a cause bigger than himself or his desires. This is the kind of devotion that Christ seeks from us. He says, “Come follow Me..” and as we do, we see a man who was devoted to the cause of His Father; so devoted that He was willing to give his very life for it – for us.

Are you willing to devote your life to Him, and to His cause, today?

There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. – John 15:13

Choose Devotion

In the morning, do you get up and do your “devotions”? Have you ever purchased a “devotional” by which you obtain daily encouragement in your walk with the Lord? And while we refer to these acts in terms of “devotion” – are we really, truly DEVOTED? We can begin to answer this question by simply looking at the definition of the word itself.

Devotion – profound dedication; consecration; earnest attachment to a cause, a person, etc.

By this definition, we can look at our culture and find that Americans are devoted to many things. Just one such example would be those who are devoted to their health. They spend their time and money on health club memberships, personal trainers, health foods, vitamins, a wardrobe of work-out clothing, etc. These health-conscious devotees are willing to rise early in the morning to get in their work-out before their day begins. They are willing to experience short-term discomfort – physical aches, pains, and sweat – in order to achieve the long-term goal of a healthier, slimmer, toned body. The end goal is entirely worth their full devotion.

As Christians, are we just as devoted to Christ Himself – and his cause? As we look around at our culture and easily identify devotion to a plethora of things – whether it be celebrity gossip, TV shows, an exercise regime, political advocacy, a job, family, having the latest, greatest technology, or keeping up with the Joneses – can our culture look at US and find that we are wholly devoted to Christ?

Are you willing to spend your time and money on Jesus Christ and the spreading of the Gospel? Are you willing to rise early in the morning to ensure you spend time with Him? Are you willing to experience short-term discomfort – whether that be a missions trip, or sharing your faith with a co-worker, or giving financially to those in need, or suffering an injustice in patient humility, etc. – in order to achieve the long-term goal of an intimate relationship with Christ and the resulting influence in the lives of those around you?

Let us choose today to follow the example of those who came before us: Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. – Acts 2:41-42