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

It’s All in Fun

“Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus,” Philippians 4:5-7, KJV.

The Lord is at hand... This passage of scripture is very timely and so needed. As people get ready for Halloween, preparing like it’s their birthday, I rest in the peace of God that passes all understanding. I think if many knew the gravity of what they were actually doing, some would cease in their actions. I hear many say that God knows their hearts, but what is their heart telling Him. I think this serves as some sort of justification for their actions, but it is in fact a confirmation of what they are doing.

Yes, God knows our hearts, that’s why I traded mine in for Jesus’. I know that my best deeds are as filthy rags and none of them can save me. Only Christ can save me and I thank Him for what He accomplished on the cross. Once I surrendered my life over to Him, I wanted to do good things. No, good works cannot save me, but because I am saved I do good works. Many things I use to do in the past, now disgust me, but thank God He looks at us and sees Jesus. I am covered by the blood.

So, with that being said, my life has to be a display of what is in my heart. If it is in my heart to serve Him, that’s what I will do. No, this does not mean that I am perfect, what it means is that when I do stumble, He reaches down and picks me up. Because I love Him, I hunger and thirst after righteousness. I consider my actions and how they may make Him feel. We consider our actions when it comes to other people, why don’t some of us do it when it comes to Christ?

Consider this, if somebody cursed your mother out or shoved your spouse/companion in chest to harm them you would get upset. Well, when others defame Christ or bring reverence to another god, I get upset. And it’s even more challenging when these are people who say they love Him. And the response from them is, “God knows my heart.”

In many people’s eyes it is okay to play certain games for fun. Many get palm readings, consult horoscopes, and ask questions with Ouija boards, thinking it’s just a venue to entertain, but it’s amazing how many receive these things as the word of truth and not God. And later wonder why certain things come to pass in their lives. It’s not just fun and games—it’s spiritual adultery! These things have catastrophic effects. But then again…God knows the heart. And knowing that this is a true statement, what is your heart saying?

Halloween is not just a “holiday” it is a day that brings reverence to satan.

Suggested Link: Halloween Specifics

Additional Reading: Isaiah 64:6

The Head of My Life

“Giving honor to the Lord Jesus Christ who is the head of my life…” I’m sure many have heard this in the church as an introduction, which I think is a very good introduction. I think it describes how I feel because He is my Lord. He comes first in my life and I give Him full reign in everything that I do. I hadn’t always done that, although that’s what I wanted, but I am happy today that I’m actually giving Him that without any qualms.

Now, why hadn’t I always done that, give God full reign in my life? I wanted Him to have it. Well, looking back I consider my lifestyle. Was my lifestyle pleasing to Him? I don’t think so. Although, I said that I wanted Him to take the reins in my life, did I really give it to Him? Making a decision to do something and actually doing it are two very different things. I could have made up my mind to do something ten years ago, but until I actually do it, I’m still living in the past.

1 Timothy 1:1-2, KJV, reads, “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.” Paul was commanded, and he obeyed. Remember, if you love Me, you will keep my commandments? Obedience is the way to show love. Just making up our minds to accept Christ is one thing, to in fact accept Him is another.

Lord means master or ruler, the authority figure in your life. Saviour means a person who rescues another person or a thing from danger or harm. Why is it that most accept Jesus as Saviour and forget about the Lordship? I’ve heard some say that “God’s not going to put a person in hell for this or for that.” Scripture interprets scripture. Is it okay for me to choose to obey one part and forget about the other? Of course none of us are perfect, not one of us does everything right, but each one of us should at least try. Would it be okay for someone to say that they enjoy murdering and then stand before God on Judgement Day and say, “Lord I know that’s wrong, but I wanted to do it and I did it anyway.” Not even bothering to ask forgiveness and repent when they had the chance. Would it be okay if somebody broke into your house and stole everything you had? Would you expect the judge here on earth to say, “Oh, he was just having fun, just let it go.” And he had a chuckle to follow.

Lord. That means so much more to me now than it did five years ago, and will probably mean even more five years from now. Lord. Jesus is my Lord. He can do whatever He wants to do in my life. And in His word, He lets me know exactly what that is. Lord. I trust Him with my very life. If I had to die, then I would for Him. Lord, Savior, or both? Which is He to you?

“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.” Luke 6: 46-49, KJV