Freedom Day

Freedom:

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." (2 Corinthians 3:17)

What does it truly mean to be freed? In this verse, we can see clearly that, where the Lord's Holy Spirit is, that is where freedom abounds. What can we conclude from this?

The Greek word for freedom in this verse is ελευθερία and it literally means freedom, or liberty. Now, when digging deeper into this word, I found that it was also used to depict the state in which one is no longer forced under the control of someone or something.

Many of us struggle daily with things that battle to try to keep us captive. Whether it be fear, people pleasing, lust, or envy, there are many lawless things that attempt to control us. How do we escape the snares of these iniquities? How do we live an "eleutheria" life?

"You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness." (Romans 6:18)

I realise that it may sound strange calling ourselves "slaves" to righteousness. However, the Greek word for "slaves" has a very two-way meaning. Let me explain.

The word for "slaves" is δουλος and it is the word for a servant. Again, once you delve into the meaning a bit more, you discover why this word can go two ways.

"Doulos" is one who belongs to another, that is, purchased property. The holder of the servant owns all the servant's rights and freedoms. Additionally, the slave relies fully on the rule and provision of his master or owner.

Do you see where I'm headed here? In life, you have a choice to make. You can either sell your soul to worldly passions, or you can surrender your soul to the Lord. The first option will spiral down into a life of destruction, imprisonment, and possibly even destructive addictions. The other option, however,

leads to being saved from the world's cold and bitter grasp. The second option is the way to experience the fullness of the spectacular splendour that comes with Salvation. (Which is yet another definition of eleutheria!)

Did you know that when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, it's God buying us back from the grips of an evil and cruel master - the ruler of worldly passions, our enemy. Jesus purchased our freedoms, rights, and joy!

"Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it for ever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:35-36)

Think of it this way. Before we were saved, we were trapped in the vicious cycle of sin and shame. Now that we have been bought into God's loving embrace, He holds all we need. God will provide for us, so we can depend on a trustworthy Owner. God works everything together for our good (Romans 8:28), so He withholds no good thing from His children who are cleansed by Christ's blood (made righteous).

"For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favour and honour; no good thing does he withhold from those whose way of life is blameless." (Psalm 84:11)

So you see, the Lord has purchased us, our rights, and our liberties. Do you know what He has done with those rights? He made us into His own sons and daughters!

"Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12)

We are FREE to be His chosen ones! FREE to live a life of abundance and liberty! FREE to embrace our title as children of the One true living God! We are FREE to savour the life of Salvation! Happy FREEDOM Day to you all! No matter where you live, today is a day to celebrate the freedom we've received in Christ Jesus!

-The Introverted Evangelist