Freedom

2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

This weekend, we celebrate the 250-year anniversary of our nation. The significance of the Declaration of Independence is not limited to the birth of our new nation—declaring freedom from the rule of the British monarchy. For the first time in history, this proclamation was made: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Our founding fathers were declaring that God is the sole source of true freedom, and He alone provides the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

As redeemed, born-again followers of Christ, we are called to recognize our true source of freedom and celebrate that freedom every day. This glorious freedom is solely based on our surrender to and dependence on our Father God, provided entirely through the redemptive work of Christ. Jesus was not setting us free to do whatever we wanted. He was liberating us to walk in right relationship with God. Through the Holy Spirit, the indwelling presence of God, we are brought liberty from the burden of sin, the Law, and spiritual blindness. We are reminded that God’s presence brings freedom, and through Him, we are no longer defined by fear, shame, or pressure—we are invited to live fully in His grace, peace, and transforming love. When we have the Holy Spirit ruling in our hearts, there is freedom!

When Jesus stood and announced the fulfillment of Isaiah 61:1, “the captives will be released and prisoners will be set free,” exactly what kind of freedom was He speaking about? Galatians 3:22 states, “The Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.” We are no longer enslaved by sin, guilt, fear of judgment, or the crushing pressure to earn God's love through perfect performance. Through the shed blood of Jesus, you are now empowered to live fully, love others, and step boldly into the life God has designed for you, rather than conforming to the patterns and requirements of the world.

In John 8:31-34, Jesus spoke of freedom, saying, “you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” Like most things that Jesus said, the Pharisees reacted negatively by proclaiming, “we are children of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone.” On the surface, this was a completely false statement, as the Jewish nation had been in physical bondage to just about everyone, including the Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, and presently the Romans. But Jesus was referring to spiritual bondage, being enslaved to sin, and the desires of our fleshly nature. Romans 6:16 sums it up: “Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.” Jesus was saying, I am the truth, and I have come to bring you freedom from sin and death. But we must choose.

The most powerful freedom choice we can make is forgiveness. Whether it is betrayal or abuse, we have all been hurt and wounded. Unforgiveness is like a heavy spiritual chain, trapping the heart in bitterness. God’s word is clear: "Just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you” (Colossians 3:13). Unforgiveness creates a bondage and slavery like nothing else, blocking God’s ability to forgive us. “If you have anything against anyone, forgive them so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you of your transgressions.” (Mark 11:25). Forgiveness is the door to true freedom.

Let us celebrate our freedom, not just 250 years as a nation, but the real source of true freedom. “You are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.” (Romans 6:18)

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Gary and Sandy Anthony

Galatians 5:1 NIV 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 5:13 NIV You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.

John 8:31-32, 36 NIV Jesus said, If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Colossians 1:13-14 NIV For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Psalms 119:43-45 NIV Never take your word of truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in your laws. I will always obey your law, for ever and ever. I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts.

Ephesians 3:12 NIV Because of Jesus and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

1 Peter 2:16 NIV Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.

2 Peter 2:19 NIV They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.

Romans 8:19-21 NLT For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay.

James 1:23-25 NIV Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

Luke 4:18 NIV The Spirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.

1 Corinthians 8:9 NLT But you must be careful so that your freedom does not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble.

1 Timothy 2:5-6 NLT There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.

Ephesians 1:6-8 NLT So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.