Freedom

Freedom is one of the most discussed ideas in the world but it can still be difficult to describe. Probably because of the huge amount of different subjects it can be applied to. When talking about our new life in the Spirit a description like this workswell, “Exemption from external control.” We say this because of our protection against the various attempts of the Devil to control our life. The Bible promises that: If the Son sets you free, you are truly free. John 8:36 (NLT). Our freedom is possible because Jesus in his righteousness has proven his power to defeat Satan any time he wants. It’s a wonderful feeling to know that Savior has the power to easily fulfill every promise in the Bible. 

Having the full rights of citizenship in a free society is where people can feel independent. This is how we feel as Christians. Only God is truly independent but we have been joined with him through Jesus. He gives us the privilege of being truly free. Of course we become free to be like the Lord but to be different than him is foolish. Peter said it this way: For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. 1 Peter 2:16. Anything we do that is not righteous or godly is, by its origin, an evil act. All disobedience to the ways of God places us in disagreement with our Creator. If we agree that righteousness produces the very best life, then it is some form of insanity to do anything else. 

Paul was the only one to explain the reason for our freedom. It isso that we can be free to live a righteous life and a loving Father can adopt us. No one is too old for God’s adoption because his family will live forever. This is Paul’s public statement: God sent him (Jesus) to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir. Galatians 4:5-7. Paul says “slaves to the law” but today we would probably say “slaves to sin”. These are two ways of saying the same thing because we all have failed to keep the law which makes us sinners. 

We know this is true because of teachings in other places. Starting with this warning: So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law. Galatians 5:1. Then we receive this information: But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. Romans 6:22 . Paul tells us that we are free from sin which means we are not a slave to any law on earth. This is due to the fact that the Spirit of God’s law now lives inside of the redeemed. Another freedom linked to these others is given in this verse: the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. Romans 8:21. The greatest freedom possible is to be adopted by God.

Unfailing Love

Christians want to communicate their testimony about the Son of God. This is a natural response when we feel the relief from the burden of sin. Our story should start by explaining what it is about Jesus that attracted us in the first place. Believers agree that at some point in their life they felt an overwhelming need for help. And then it was as if a great strong hand reached down and pulled us to safety. We believe that this first love of the Savior will be with us into eternity. Of course we are attracted to Him because Jesus lowered himself to become a human. He then demonstrated in person how much he loved every-day people. 

Never would we think that the King of Creation would consider becoming human. But we read: So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness… John 1:14 (NLT). Many of us have trouble loving other people for a complete day. We do know that a mother can love their child blindly, not caring if the kid deserves it or not. It is very different with God who loves us completely but tells us that after our death there will be a judgment of our life. Real love always contains justice. Our failures to obey the Creator have not changed his love for us although judgment must come sooner or later. 

What our disobedience has done, is turn the world into a dark place full of ignorance and misery. This is why God sent his Son to live with us on earth. Jesus said: I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark. John 12:46. The love that God has for us is certainly shown by the fact that Jesus has come with the solution for our darkness. Accepting the love of God doesn’t require any greatness out of us. When we join in the light that Christ brought, we simply put our trust in him and begin to live a new life that his Spirit will provide for us. 

The world gets a glimpse of the righteousness in Heaven when the light of God’s love shines in the life of a dedicated man or woman. Our Lord used a very unusual man to declare that Jesus had arrived from Heaven. He was an old fashion prophet who lived in the desert but he had the privilege to introduce the Lord of love.  His name was John the Baptist and the Bible tells us: Isaiah had spoken of John when he said, “He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the LORD’s coming! Clear the road for him! Luke 3:4. Every believer must clear the ways of this world out of their life. This world believes nothing about the unfailing love that Jesus brought to earth two thousand years ago. 

The greatness of God’s love is shown in everything Jesus ever did. One example is when the Savior sent Paul out to give us the message that we are free from the Law. Instead of harshness, Paul was to carry the message of love and freedom. We read that Jesus had included the Gentiles in his love: … to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me.’ Acts 26:18. The salvation message given to all humans is full of unfailing love. This complete love is infectious and lives in all genuine Christians. 

Most people have heard the message of love even if it was just on a sign at the ballgame. The Scripture says: “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16. The love of God has been broadcast around the world but most people still don’t want to have faith in Jesus. But in contrast to this rejection of the truth, our God is unfailing in his love. Consider this wonderful statement for believers: …for the Father himself loves you dearly because you love me and believe that I came from God. John 16:27. Our past life will be forgiven and will never be remembered in eternity and we will live without any of this world’s ways.

Throughout the new covenant the writers speak about God’s unfailing love for his people. Everyone should want to have a father that loves them. The Bible says: See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! 1 John 3:1. Jesus reassured his followers that a good father always has gifts for his children. Salvation is the greatest gift that could ever be given. We are told: God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Ephesians 2:8. Christians want to live a life that pleases God but we must have help. We don’t need to displease our Creator any longer because: … you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15. 

Can we believe God loves us this much?