The Freedom Ship Is Sailing

What is it like to walk in freedom? Perhaps I should start by defining what "freedom" means. At first thought we think of freedom as being allowed to go where you want to go, say what you want to say, and do what you want to do without fear of being punished or imprisoned. That comes close to the way we would view freedom in America anyway. But is that really what freedom is? What true freedom is?

During this journey I've discovered that true freedom is very different to how I viewed it before. The true freedom I've just recently discovered is knowing who I am in Christ. Words cannot express how much joy and peace this revelation brings. The joy and peace I had before was stamped out so easily. At times I felt like I was on an emotional roller coaster, and I didn't understand why. Though I've been born again for over a year now, I was still living in bondage, and I didn't even realize it.

Yes! A person can be saved but still be living in bondage. Bondage stamps out your joy and is the opposite of freedom. Self-condemnation, guilt, shame, feelings of worthlessness, feeling unworthy to serve the Lord, etc...they are all tactics of the enemy for he is the accuser of the brethren to keep us in slavery and keep us from reaching our potential in Christ.

So many of us continue to live in that bondage after we're saved, and we don't even realize it. I sure didn't. I didn't realize what was buried deep within me: old hurts, failures, regrets, shame. At every opportunity the enemy would exploit these, making me feel that I could never fulfill God's plan for my life. But let me tell you my friends, the devil is a liar!

Galatians 4:4-7 tells us "...God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law so that we might receive adoption as sons (and daughters). And because you are sons (and daughters), God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying "Abba! Father" So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if son, than an heir through God."

Father, I thank you for the revelation of who I am in you. I thank you for the joy, peace, and freedom this understanding has brought into my life. My prayer is that everyone would discover who they are in you.

Amen.