Hey Friends, it's been a little while since I've written a blog post, and before my website undergoes some major construction, I wanted to encourage you with a meditative word to walk through 2022 Free Indeed.
Jesus told us the world would become immersed in darkness as the Day of the Lord draws close. We have entered unprecedented times, where people do what they “feel is right” versus what is right. One of the ways we see things changing is the use of the term relative. Over the weekend, our pastor taught how the world believes truth is relative. And this subject is something we, as followers of Jesus, know is not true. The Truth is not supposition or fact but the most evident reality seen in the Person of our Lord Jesus. Jesus, Himself spoke these very words, “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”John 14v6.
Friends, it is vital to hold tightly to the Truth because it stands for all time. I am reminded, days and times change, facts change; the Truth - never! When we believe the Truth, we receive liberation in its fullest measure, and this is what we are fixing our eyes on today.
As children of God, there are no shackles on us except those we self-impose. It may sound harsh, but it's true. If you feel trapped and bound by something, consider "is this something Jesus died to set us free from?" Take some time to assess your thoughts and whether they align with the truth. Often, bondage is attached to a stronghold in the mind. Therefore, thinking about what we are thinking about and why we think a certain way can expose toxic belief systems and any root of unbelief.
Friends, the Lord is maturing us to walk in a greater capacity, which means stretching our faith and appropriating our authority. Christians are loosed from every bondage, yet there are times we walk as though they are still held by the very things Jesus died to free us from.
I should know, for several decades, I struggled with hard thoughts towards God. I was saved, yet somewhere in my mind and heart, I believed God's love was conditional. At the time, I sat under teaching that was a mixture of Law and God's grace. As you can see, this type of teaching leaves people unstable. I found myself on a slippery slope, whereby if God's love is conditional, then keeping my salvation might also be based on my behavior. This is not scriptural and leaves so many in the land of unbelief😭.
This is for anyone told you can lose your salvation or that God loves you based on what you do and not who He Is. Meditate on these verses allowing them to be firmly rooted in your heart:
“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” John 10v28. Meditate on the word never✝️.
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8v38-39.
Meditate on the truth: Nothing can separate us from the love of God✝️.
Beloved, when thoughts attempt to plague your mind, retreat immediately to the Scriptures and remain there. Allow His goodness to wash over you and fill you until you have complete assurance and confidence in Him.
We are now moving forward to our point of study for today. You'll see the words given in the last paragraph are practical steps Jesus admonishes us to take to walk in the light of liberty in all aspects of life.
Scripture I
“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8v31-32.
First, we see Jesus was speaking to those who were Jews and believed in Him. Jesus is speaking to us today. Second, we are given the characteristics of a disciple of Christ. They are those who remain (abide) in His word. Jesus says communing in the word, intimacy with the Word brings revelation of truth that provides freedom. I was reminded, John starts His Gospel account by saying, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1v1. The word is Jesus; He brings life and light into the darkness. He breaks chains and sets the captives free (Psalms 146v7).
Every time we come to the word of God, we are spending time with the Author and Finisher of our faith. We can believe Him because everything He says comes to pass; pause and reflect on Genesis 1 or, better yet look, earnestly at the numerous prophesies throughout the Bible concerning Christ, each one being fulfilled. Friends, the word of God is sure. The word of God is Truth. The word of God is the cadence of our lives. When we believe Him, our eyes and hearts are open to walk in complete freedom from the cares of life. If we want to walk above the waves, we must believe Him.
Scripture II
“Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.”John 8v34-35.
Jesus pulls no punches. He wants us to know there is a penalty for dabbling in sin. It has the propensity to become one’s master quickly. When we think about it, at the very heart of sin is pride because we think we can “handle it.”
You know, when we say, "oh, the profanity or provocativeness won't affect me," but later in our quiet time, we wonder, “where did that thought come from🤔?” James said, “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” James 1v14-15. Friends, sin kills that which is flourishing. Ravi Zacharias said, “Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.”
I was captivated by the distinction between a slave and a son. The question posed in my quiet time; Who are you? Do you believe you are a child of the living God with all the rights of an heir, beginning with an intimate fellowship with Him, or are you walking a tightrope trying to keep rules and strict regulations in an attempt to catch His attention gain His approval? Oh, friend, the way we see Jesus is rooted in our belief about Him. It is very much like in the story of the prodigal son. The younger son was lost in his sin, yet by coming home to his father's house received the ring (authority), the robe (righteousness), and shoes (holiness, nearness, peace with God).
Whereas the eldest brother, though having everything, could not appreciate nor appropriate what he had. He fell from grace, trading the righteousness that is freely received for one, which must be earned. The prophet Jeremiah said, “Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.” Jeremiah 17v5-6.
Friend, you are the apple of God's eye. He is so in love with you (John 3v16). Paul, the apostle, said, “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” Romans 8v32. You are in His heart and on His mind. He has been running after you all the days of your life (Psalms 23v6), just as the father in the story of the prodigal son. He saw his son afar off and ran to him (Luke 15v20); did you hear that? In order for him to see him afar off ~ he had to be searching the horizon for him already😉. Oh the grace of our Lord Jesus.
Scripture III
“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8v36. Oh friends hallelujah 🙌🏾.
Jesus is declaring the freedom of those who have placed their faith in Him. We are free and there is nothing that can inhibits us as we walk in the Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is the umpire of our hearts, leading us each day in the Way. The more we come to Jesus the more we embrace a new and living way. We discover the true reality of our liberty and are strengthened to walk in it.
Questions to Consider |
Are you walking in the freedom Jesus died to give you?
What areas of your life where you feel in bondage and need more liberation?
What are some ways you can let go of factual and faulty thinking patterns and embrace the Truth?
Application |
One way we remain rooted in Christ and walking in freedom is to read the word of God. As we see things happening around us, remaining grounded in the word of God, will keep our thoughts aligned in the truth.
Until Next Time🦋
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