September 17

Freedom To …

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.  ––John 8:34-36

Back in the day some of us (of a certain age) used to listen to sermons on cassette tape while driving. One message I heard shortly after I became a believer was from Dr. John MacArthur, founder of Grace Church in Los Angeles and the Master’s Seminary. In his trademark clear, concise style, Pastor MacArthur was teaching on the will of God. He said something to this effect: “If you surrender your day to the Holy Spirit, and ask Him to guide you in all your decisions, then you can do whatever you want.” Sure, he was using hyperbole to make his point, but it still made me nearly crash my car into a tree. He went on to clarify: “The reason you can do whatever you want is because when you fully surrender to God’s will, then He will be the one guiding your decisions.”

It’s a bold sentiment—and very true. I often engage with men about the will of God, and how they can find it for their lives. Sometimes I think we spend so much time concerned about the things we are not free to do as Christians, that we lose sight of the vastly greater number of things that we are free to do. I get it: we live in a dark world full of temptations, so it makes sense for you and me to be on guard. So don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting that we not stay alert to the schemes of the enemy.

The will of God, however, is clearer, stronger, and more powerful than any lie the enemy might conjure. That’s a critical point that has hit home harder the older I grow. What I’ve found is that when I put into practice what His Word says—even if I may be skeptical or wary—it NEVER steers me wrong. Ever. Put another way, when we tune our ear to hear our Father, He will provide the direction we need to walk with Him. When we throw all our trust on Him, He provides us the freedom to …

Walk in Confidence

… being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.   ––Philippians 1:6

Experience Hope

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  ––Romans 15:13

Possess Peace

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.  ––John 14:26-27

Live in Faith

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

––Hebrews 11:1

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  ––Ephesians 2:8-10

I encourage you to immerse yourself in scriptures that point to the things you have been delivered into—a life not immune to problems, but full of His grace, mercy, and compassion. I guarantee you that if you ask the Lord to reveal His will for you, that He will be faithful to do it!

Father, thank You for delivering me into a life of spiritual freedom. Help me to appropriate my freedom in Christ today, and the gift of faith that You have given to me.