It is for freedom…

Freedom. What comes to mind when you think of that word? Freedom from debt? Freedom from pain? Freedom from weariness? Freedom from fear? Freedom from boredom? Freedom from a negative mindset? Freedom from sin?

Maybe freedom brings positive thoughts to mind for you. Freedom to explore new experiences and new places. Freedom to move into a new season. Maybe freedom is a day without the kids. What does freedom look like to you?

I had to ponder this word for myself. What does freedom mean to me? I have come to the conclusion that freedom does not have just one layer, but in fact many layers to it during our lifetime. At the moment for me, the positive would be freedom of having the time to do what God has put in my heart to do. The negative though, is freedom from allowing my mind to be overwhelmed by all that is on my heart to accomplish. Our ultimate freedom of course is knowing that we have been saved, forgiven of our sin and set free by the cleansing blood of Jesus.

God tells us in His word that; ‘It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, (with strength) then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.’ Galatians 5:1 (NIV)

The scripture above tells us not to be burdened again by the yoke of slavery, which tells us that God knows how easy it is for us to slip back into old patterns of life when we lose sight of the freedom we possess.

WHAT IS SLAVERY

SLAVERY – Dictionary definition – The condition of being enslaved, controlled or influenced by something.

If the enemy can convince us that we are still bound, he renders us ineffective. He is not so concerned about us being saved, but he does care that we are affective in bringing others with us on the journey of knowing Jesus, and leading them on their true path towards freedom, purpose and eventually their eternal home – heaven. If we are bound by the mindset of slavery, our focus and attention will be on the thing that has bound us – the past, or our weakness – rather than the fact that God has set us free.

THERE ARE TWO VOICES AT PLAY HERE

THE VOICE OF SLAVERY – which holds us captive. For example:

• Fear – I do not have enough finance. I will always be sick. I won’t fulfil all my dreams. God will not keep His promise to me.
• Self doubt – I don’t have the ability. I don’t think I can make it.
• Low self worth – I am not good enough. I don’t deserve better.
• Worry – I have to carry all these burdens because I lack trust in my true ‘burden carrier’ – Jesus. I have so many things I feel responsible to ‘fix’ in my world. I’m concerned I won’t have enough provision for myself or my family.
• Unbelief – I’m unsure God loves me because I feel undeserved of His love. I’m not certain God will do more than I ask or imagine when I ask Him. I’m not confident that God will come through for me.
• Guilt or Shame – I still allow my self-talk or the enemy to tell me; ‘You’re not forgiven.’ ‘Remember when you did …’. ‘You didn’t spend enough time with God this week so He is not happy with you.’

Does any of this sound familiar to you? What are you bound by that you are yet to release?

THE VOICE OF FREEDOM looks like this:

FREEDOM – Dictionary – The State of being free rather than in confinement (limited) or under physical captivity. Personal liberty as opposed to bondage or slavery. The power to determine action without restraint – (held back).

Galatians 5:1 tells us that it is for freedom (not slavery) that Christ has set us free.

When Paul wrote Galatians 5:1 he was writing to the church, not the world. He warned them to not get burdened again – which indicated that he knew it was possible for believers to become bound, time and time and again.

Our declaration needs to be: ‘It is for freedom that Christ has set me free. I stand firm in my freedom, and I won’t let anything, or anyone take it from me. In understanding this, I choose not to be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. I will stay aware that this can very easily happen if I don’t recognise the things in my life that steal my freedom.’

HOW DO I LIVE IN FREEDOM

It comes in the exchange. The exchange of what Christ has done for you and I to set us free, because we could never do this for ourselves in our own strength. The exchange of ‘slavery clothes’ for ‘freedom garments’. To wear the clothing of freedom, we must make sure we have taken off our old clothes of slavery, or not have them hidden under our new clothes and think everything is ok. Our armour (our clothing), is God’s word that gives us the strength to discard the old and put on the new. For example:

Exchange fear for steadfastness.

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.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? Psalm 118:6

Exchange self doubt for God’s confidence in you.

For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. Philippians 2:13

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Hebrews 12: 1-2

You have the Holy Spirit living in you. You are no longer a slave because … If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36 says: (NIV) 

Christ did not set us free to live the rest of our life in self-inflicted bondage, but to live in Christ’s incredible liberty, but He needed to warn us to stay alert so we don’t return to those things that keep us captive.

When the enemy shouts in your ear; ‘You are bound,’ we must respond with the truth of God’s word– ‘The Spirit of the Lord abides in me, and where the Spirit of the Lord is I am free. Free from bondage, free from my past, free from my mistakes

Identify your ‘slavery’ area and exchange it for ‘God’s freedom’ word to you. Ask God to give you a ‘freedom’ word for your situation and allow it to become your armour against slavery. Allow that armour to be your strength, your weapon, your confident hope and freedom to live out the life God intended you to live.

My book – Out of Control – will help you take the steps you need to throw off everything that hinders, to run the race you were called to run. Available at all online bookstores. #amazon #koorong #barnesandnoble and many more.

Note: All emphasis in scripture references are mine.