Freedom! What Is Freedom?
Monday, November 12, 2018
Living Free Every Day®
A ministry of LivingFree.org
Today's Scripture
"So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free." (John 8:36 NLT)
Thoughts for Today
Free means not to be imprisoned or tied down. Freedom is the state of being free or living free.
When we think of prison, we usually visualize a cell with bars and guards patrolling the halls. But there are other kinds of prison. Many people live in spacious and comfortable homes with all the perks, but they are still in prison. And others serving prison terms behind bars are experiencing freedom because they have found a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Although he was not being held in a material, human prison, David prayed, "Bring me out of prison so I can thank you" (Psalm 142:7 NLT).
How about you? Are you experiencing true freedom in Christ—or is a certain area in your life keeping you in a "prison"?
Consider this …
God places a high value on freedom. From the very beginning, he gave us the freedom to choose good or evil, right or wrong, obedience or disobedience. Sadly, Adam and Eve used that freedom to disobey—and their disobedience affected the history of humanity. Everyone makes some wrong choices—and those poor choices rob us of real freedom. We imprison ourselves in walls of guilt, fear, anxiety, insecurity. The walls vary, but we have all experienced them.
Good news! We can find real freedom! True freedom is in Christ. He died on the cross for our sins. When we receive His forgiveness and make Him Lord of our life, those prison walls can come down. As we learn to trust Jesus, we can be set free from whatever has restricted us and kept us from enjoying the blessings God wants to give us. We will finally be able to grow and become the person God has designed us to be.
This week we will look more at the freedom that can come only through Christ . . . and how we can find it.
Prayer
Father, thank you for promising us freedom through Christ. You know the areas of my life that are holding me back. Please help me find freedom. In Jesus' name . . .
These thoughts were drawn from …Free to Grow: Overcoming Setbacks and Disappointments by Jimmy Ray Lee, D.Min. The purpose of this group study is to help people overcome disappointments and setbacks that have arrested or are presently hindering their emotional and spiritual development. The group study will help participants understand how to be set free so that they can grow and become all that God has designed them to be. Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study for individuals or couples.
©Living Free 2018. Living Free is a registered trademark. Living Free Every Day® devotionals may be reproduced for personal use. When reproduced to share with others, please acknowledge the source as Living Free, Chattanooga, TN, www.LivingFree.org. Must have written permission to use in any format to be sold. Permission may be requested by sending an e-mail to [email protected]
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©Living Free 2018. Living Free is a registered trademark. Living Free Every Day® devotionals may be reproduced for personal use. When reproduced to share with others, please acknowledge the source as Living Free, Chattanooga, TN, www.LivingFree.org. Must have written permission to use in any format to be sold. Permission may be requested by sending an e-mail to [email protected]
