Recognize your Freedom!

Therefore if the son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. (John 8:36 NKJV)

My pastor tells the story of two men, friends of his, who were both alcoholics. Both have been delivered from their alcoholism and are sober; yet the freedoms they received from God could not be more different. The first man wakes up every day and goes on about his life without ever thinking about drinking. He can sit in a bar with friends as they drink and never feel the temptation to indulge, being content with soda and good conversation. That is his freedom in Christ.

The second man also wakes up every day and goes on about his life, but whereas the first man doesn't think about drinking, this man is tempted by thoughts of alcohol all day long. If he even drives by a bar, he is bombarded by urges to drink to the extent that he could not even fathom entering a place that serves alcohol. Despite this he never gives in to those temptations or urges. Regardless of how strong they become, he remembers that Christ has enabled him to withstand the temptations, and so he does. That is his freedom in Christ.

Two very different freedoms, but freedom nevertheless; the important part is that the second man recognizes his freedom daily. He doesn't let what life throws at him affect him because he knows what God has guaranteed him. That is our goal today: to recognize our freedom. To do that we must first recognize that the freedom is there. I assure that it is there because God has guaranteed it to you, and the Bible tells us that it is "… impossible for God to lie..." (Hebrew 6:18)

So, this day, having prayed for freedom from the things that plague you, when you feel the temptation of those thing; when the urges feel as if they are going to overcome you, remember who you are and whose you are. Remember that you serve a God who is almighty, all powerful, and stronger than any urge or temptation you will ever face. Remember that while he has never promised you a temptation free life, he has promised you freedom from that tempt you, and that as a child of the Most High God, that freedom is your right. Then, …"stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will accomplish for you today..." (Exodus 14:13) Once you have seen and recognized your freedom, live in it regardless of what life throws at you. That is your freedom in Christ.

Prayer for the day: Almighty God, as you freed the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, free us also from everything that enslave us. Continue to free us from the temptations that threaten to overwhelm us, and help us to joyfully embrace the freedom you give us. In then name of Jesus who sets us free indeed. Amen.