"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him." Colossians 3:17, KJV

Praise the Lord


Welcome to In His Name, a devotional site where the Word of God is posted and explored. This site embraces the love of Jesus Christ, encouraging Bible study.


Thursday, July 5, 2012

Freedom & Liberty: Only through Jesus Christ

Luke 4:18-19
Amplified Bible (AMP)
18 The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me, because He has anointed Me [the Anointed One, the Messiah] to preach the good news (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed [who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity],

19 To proclaim the accepted and acceptable year of the Lord [the day [a]when salvation and the free favors of God profusely abound].
(Additional reference: Isaiah 61)

The message of this verse resonates throughout the entire Bible: Freedom & Liberty. After having celebrated Independence Day, I know that the only way we are truly free is through Jesus Christ. “What does it mean to be free?” some may ask, while others question, “What does it really feel like?” In my own words, freedom is simply resting in the finished work on the Cross.
Many have challenging situations or financial hardships in life, while others appear to have it all together born with a “silver spoon” in their mouths. Some battle domestic violence while others may have a home filled with love and nurturing. No matter what the environment, we all have our crosses to bear and for some of us it may be a little heavier than the next person, but we must remember that to whom much is given, much is required (reference Luke 12:48).
One of the most beautiful accounts of freedom I’ve heard about came from a passage in the book Tortured for Christ written by Richard Wurmbrand. His experiences of being tortured in prison because of his faith in Jesus Christ epitomize the meaning of beauty for ashes. Although his body was beaten and forced to endure all kinds of cruelty, his faith was strengthened. He looked to the Lord where his help came from. Wurmbrand had to keep his mind on the Lord even as others cursed and ridiculed him. The battlefield is in the mind and we must keep our minds stayed on God, that’s the only way we are guaranteed peace.
As I continue my walk with the Lord, I pray that I recognize more opportunities to share the love of Christ with others and to let them know that freedom is available to us all, we just have to accept it by accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  ~Romans 10:9-10