What is freedom? Is freedom the opportunity to do anything you want as long as it feels right? No.
Freedom means not being imprisoned or enslaved. Jesus set me free from sin and the bondage of my old identity. I thought I was free when I could do as my body and soul dictated. This type of "freedom," the freedom to sin, only led me to death and destruction. True freedom always results in life. Always.
Freedom means being at liberty. At one time I was controlled by the Enemy to a certain extent. He knew how to get me to think wrong thoughts. I was controlled by my feelings rather than by God's feelings for me. Jesus set me free to submit will- fully to his control of my life. This type of free submission always leads to life. Always.
Freedom means to be governed by consent. I was not set free to become a mindless zombie for the Lord. The beauty of the freedom we find in Christ is that we have the choice to follow him. Submission to love and holiness can by no means be compared to the bondage of sin. I submit to Christ and to my new identity because he loves me dearly. I can follow a love that lays down its life for me.
Freedom means not controlled by obligation or the will of another. Jesus offered me salvation and a brand-new identity as a free gift. I did not have to earn it. All I had to do was receive it. I willfully follow him because of the love and faithfulness he has demonstrated to me.
Freedom means not being affected or restricted by a given condition or circumstance. The things that used to affect my behavior and restrict my ability to function rationally -- bitterness, lust, disappointments, and emotional wounds -- no longer affect me as they once did. I have seen them for what they are — powerless! Freedom means not being subject to external restraint. No outward circumstance- - even prison- can affect my inward identity. Nothing. Why? Because I am free!
How free do we have to be to be considered free? When a mighty oak tree bears fruit and a seed is produced, new life begins for a brand-new oak tree. Everything that oak will ever be is already inside that seed. You could truthfully hold up an acorn and say, "Look at this mighty oak!" No, the tree is not actually grown yet, but with each phase of growth, the tree becomes more of what it already is. We, as new creations, are no different. You could look at a baby in Christ and say, "Look at this mighty man of God!" That new creation is every bit a child of God as the believer who has known Christ for fifty years! With each phase of growth, the new creation becomes more of what he or she already is. Identity cannot change once we are in Christ; levels of maturity and understanding can.
When I was first set free, I was as much a new creation as I would ever be. Why did I still struggle with sin? Because I had been ingrained for twenty-two years with the notion that I was homosexual, yet in an instant that identity was changed. I was like a baby learning to crawl and then stand and then walk and then run ... and then soar above the old me! I was alive yet bound up in all the lies and misconceptions about myself and God. I wanted more than just to be alive. I wanted to use that aliveness, that freedom, to spread my spiritual wings and soar above sin and sorrow and the cares of this world. I wanted life, and I wanted it abundantly.
By putting off the old and putting on the new, I spread my wings of faith and soared above sin and sorrow to discover new vistas of reality I never dreamed possible.
I am no longer bound to sin or its power.
I have power over sin!
I no longer fear the risk of rejection love brings.
I willfully lay down my life like Jesus.
I no longer wonder about why I exist.
I know beyond a shadow of a doubt because I know
the One who gave me life.
I know my Creator in an intimate and freeing way! He has made me to soar with wings of faith. Like an eagle soars over the rocky crags and treacherous cliffs, I now set my eyes on Jesus and spread my wings. I am learning to ride the winds of the Spirit and soar above the temptations of life. Trials and tribulations now represent opportunities to experience God's grace, and each encounter with my God leaves me amazed that life just seems to keep getting better and better! This is freedom. To know God and to be known by him sets me free. I only want more! Make me more free, Father. I love you!
MEDITATION
What does freedom mean to the world?
What does freedom mean to you?
What are some areas in which you would like to experi-
ence more freedom?
What does freedom have to do with identity?
TRUTHS FOR MEDITATION
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. -Isaiah 40:28—31
Ask the Lord to allow you to sleep and dream of all the things you want to soar above in this life. See it as the truth and let this truth set you free!
“Even in their sleep…” --- Psalm 127:1 NASB
Dennis Jernigan
Photo courtesy of https://pixabay.com/photos/woman-jump-backpack-jumping-leap-1868817/