Celebrate Freedom

Here in the United States, in July we celebrate our freedom.

Freedom from tyranny, freedom to be our own country, freedom from persecution.

It is in our human nature to want to make our own choices, to not be subject to another’s complete authority.

Everyone deserves to have respect and an identity. We should never be totally controlled by another human being.

For many years I considered the label “strong and independent” to be a badge of honor. But my pride took this drive into dangerous territory when I started to think that I was so entitled and independent that I knew better than God what was best for my life.

I thought freedom meant that I could do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted.

But the more I scrambled after doing things that would prove I was physically free, that I could manage everything on my own, the more I found myself tangled up and tied down in my soul.

True freedom only comes when we let Jesus carefully remove all of those entanglements, one by one.

We are all slaves to something. Whatever you chase, wherever you seek approval, whatever you obey is your master.

I was born into slavery.

I made a home there, settled in and put down roots, thinking I was building a life where I was free to make my own choices and decisions, to take care of myself the way I wanted, to do whatever I thought would make me happy.

As a slave to sin I felt free. And yet my soul became more and more crushed under the weight, the responsibility, the disappointment when things didn’t turn out the way I planned.

True freedom came when I gave up my control, my will, my plans to Jesus.

It’s counterintuitive – surrender and obedience are what set my soul free.

This is not how we are programmed, not from birth or by the world.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 6:23

Living in obedience to sin incurs a cost, there is a price to pay. And that price leads to spiritual death.

Jesus became a slave on earth to pay the price, to buy our freedom. He was sold out by Judas by 30 talents of silver, which was the price to buy a slave. And then He paid the ultimate price of death on the cross so that we could be given the free gift of life.

Now we have the choice. We can be in debt to sin, and pay the price ourselves. Or we can submit our lives to Jesus and accept the gift that He paid for – a life full of peace, love, joy, and forgiveness.

Jesus replied, “ I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.  John 8:34-35

Sin was never going to adopt me as family. It is only ever concerned with itself and how it can take what it wants. I remained a slave, to be used up and cast aside when I was no longer needed.

When I accepted the gift Jesus offered, when I allowed Him to transform my mind, my heart, and my life, I was adopted. I will never be cast out. I belong – loved, accepted, chosen.

No matter my physical circumstances, I am free.

And that freedom is reason to celebrate!