Freedom

Freedom....Everyone wants to be free. Free of debt, free to choose what they want to do. Freedom to go where they want to go, when they want to go. As a believer in Christ Jesus, Christ gave my freedom to me out of compassion and love. John 15:9 "As a Father hath loved me, so I have loved you: continue in my love." God the Father always heard the prayers of Jesus and honored what he prayed. Jesus prayed for us out of love that we too would continue in the love which he demonstrated. The love of Christ passes all knowledge (Ephesians 3:19). The lost is not capable of recognizing Jesus for who he is and what he has done. They do not see themselves bound to this world. The lost person believes they are free to do what they want to do. However they are in sin, bound to the act, the habit, and the nature of sin and its consequences. They have no choice but to sin. They follow this pattern all their lives. Wandering hopelessly it seems in darkness dragging around a chain of iniquity. We as believers in Christ Jesus know that there is a escape, a way out. We too at one time were sinners. Doing what we could only do by nature. Locked in the blackness, the lie and illusion of sin. I remember the day the cloud and fog was lifted. The day that I heard in my spirit the voice of God. I gave my life to him and only then was I able to see clearly the truth I had been blinded to. It was only when I surrendered to Christ that freedom was ushered in and a peace came over me like a river. This is through the blood of Christ which Jesus himself used to purchase our freedom. Psalm 103:13 "As a Father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him." There is no doubt that God looks at us as his children and loves us more than our earthly parents could ever love us. Isaiah 49:15 "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!" So we see from these passages that there is hope! God promises those who fear him, that there is an assurance of remembrance and freedom to be gained by trusting God. If we draw closer to God he will draw closer to us. God knows how frail and how vulnerable we are, so he shows mercy on us, he has compassion upon us giving us confidence in him Psalm 103:13). Ephesians 1:15-23 Paul prays for the believer and if you have time please look this scripture up and read it. He is praying that God will give us the spiritual instruments and tools to enjoy the freedom in Christ Jesus. There are those in the world today who preach against the doctrines of Christ, speaking that living a life in imitation of Christ brings captivity. In all my years of being a believer in Christ I have never felt enslaved to Christ. I am bound to Christ by the bonds of love but still enjoy a freedom and a peace which only God can give. Why do I enjoy freedom and do not feel enslaved? It is because I have been conformed to the image of God's Son (Ephesians 8:29). I have the Holy Spirit living in me which reflects the attitude of Christ. This is what all believers are to strive for. Many will say that there is freedom in numerous places but I assert that there is one door which leads to freedom and that door is Jesus Christ (John 10:7-14). We that have the freedom in Christ who have been washed in the blood of the lamb will one day share in the riches of Christ after this life. Jesus promised us in John chapter 4 "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house is many mansions: if it were not so, I would not have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am you may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know." 

As one who follows Christ and his words I am waiting patiently for him to return. Because I know that eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has it ever been recorded what God has in store for those who love him. It is because of his love for us that we have been made the righteousness of Christ and have been granted freedom and showed abundant compassion by a Father who will never leave us nor forsake us. Take encouragement in this and find your gift of freedom through prayer and supplication to God.

In Christ Jesus,

Dale Thompson