June 19 – Joyful Righteous Freedom

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” – 2 Corinthians 3:17 (ESV)
“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” - Galatians 5:1 (NASB)
“Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.” – 1 Peter 2:16 (ESV) 

Today we have three verses on freedom. The United States will be celebrating freedom on the nation’s newest federal holiday. Juneteenth National Independence Day became the 12th legal public holiday on June 17, 2021. The action of one human owning another and determining all aspects of another’s life has always been a tragic part of human history. Slavery continues around the world even to this day. The pursuit of freedom from bondage and statutory slavery is a natural desire. Often over-looked is the deadly slavery to sin that holds people in bondage to unrighteous thought, speech, and actions. Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God came into our world, born as a baby and lived a perfect human life⸺free of any sin. Christ was never a salve to sin so when He offered himself in our place, to die for us, it gave each of us the opportunity to be free from slavery to sin as well. Christ’s death satisfied the penalty for sin that was due (Romans 6:23). Through faith believing in Christ, we are set free from sin – we are no long in bondage to sin, we are free as we abide in Christ’s righteousness.  

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June 12 – Freedom to Serve Each Other

“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”  - Galatians 5:13 (NASB)

It is often the case the context of our verses of promise often bear greatly on our understanding.  This verse comes within the contest that the Apostle Paul was correcting a false teaching in the churches of Galatia.  Some false teachers were saying new believers needed to become Jews and follow the Jewish tradition of the Law and be circumcised.  In verse 5:1 Paul states that was no longer necessary because Christ has set us free from such a yoke. Believers were free from these obligations that once were required of the people of Israel – the Jewish nation.  Instead freedom was what Christians were called to.  This was and is a promise that legalism is a thing of the past.  Paul then cautions the Galatians to be certain that their freedom was not abused by taking advantage and using it to fulfill lustful desires.  The promise of freedom, that we all have been given in Christ, is given so that we can, through love, serve one another.  This may be very pertinent for our present situation as many have the need of help. So, let’s serve one another in our freedom for God’s honor and glory. 

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April 6 – The Perfect Law

“But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.”  James 1:25 (NIV)

This verse reminds us how important it is to keep following the instructions which God has given us in the Bible.  The gospel is a message to set us free from sin but it also goes on to show us how to live.  So what God wants us to do is to continue to follow His teachings and He is watching over us from day to day to be sure that we are able to do that with his grace and mercy.  And what does God promise for those of us who remember to follow His teachings through our lives?  He promises a blessing and we can be sure that He will bless everyone of us who keep following His teaching.  So let's be sure to do what this verse tells us to do, to look intently into God's word and the perfect law that gives us our freedom.  The law spoken here is the perfect Law of God, not the imperfect Law of Moses.  The perfect sacrifice for us has been given by Jesus on the cross.  We believe and receive through faith in that sacrifice, our new life.    

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July 4 – Independence or Freedom

“So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”” John 8:31-32 (NASB)

Today, in the USA, people will be celebrating Independence Day as a day that reminds us of the desire for freedom and liberty which that brought about the Declaration of Independence. The signers of this document were looking for independence from those who governed them from across the ocean.  It is common to think of independence as close to the same thing as freedom.  Jesus said something about being made free in today's verse.  It is important to recognize that as Jesus explained this freedom that He was talking about freedom from the slavery to sin.  The consequences of sin holds us in bondage but Jesus promises freedom from that bondage for those who believe in Him.  This was His purpose, which he obediently fulfilled for our sake because of His love for each and every person. When we believe in Jesus as our Savior we are set free from sin.  As we pay attention to His teaching and follow Him, we learn to appreciate that freedom.  We are no longer salves to sin because He is our teacher and His truth enables us to enjoy His liberty and turn away from sin.  So this can be an Independence Day for all who choose to believe and depend on our Lord to lead us along in truth – the truth that sets us free.  

October 16 – Freedom and Confidence

“ In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” Ephesians 3:12 (NIV)

Our God is a great and mighty God. He is all-powerful and his name is Lord God Almighty. He would have to be great to create this earth, the sun, the moon and the stars and the vast immeasurable universe that contains them. And, yet when He made us human beings He wanted us to be close to Him. And this is still God's desire even after sin entered to separate God's creatures from Him.  That is why God provided a way and sent His Son Jesus the Christ to this world to live for us and to die for us. By faith in Jesus we can still come close to God. We must never forget that our God in heaven has made this way for us to come close to Him. 

July 4 – Not Independence From God

“Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.” 2 Corinthians 3:5 (NIV)

God has blessed the United States with freedom through independence for many years. Today is the day citizens of the USA celebrate. Not all Christians enjoys the Independence we celebrate today. We are sharing again a verse we had just a few days ago. Words given to us by God through the writing of the Apostle Paul in a letter to the Corinthian Church. The truth in these words apply not only to preachers as Paul was. These words are for us too. Remember, that we all depend on God for every part of our living. We are not independent of God's help. We are dependent on Him for everything. Those of us in countries that still enjoy great freedom, and those of us in countries where to believe might mean death – we all get our competence from God. He is our source of true freedom.  Let's not forget who truly gives us our freedom from sin and liberty to live for God.

July 3 - Freedom Through Truth

“Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”” John 8:31b-32 (NIV)

The idea of freedom is in the air. With the approach of the Fourth of July, for those who live in the United States, it is a time of celebration. Independence Day in the USA is tomorrow. Other countries around the world have different days to celebrate their special day of independence. Whenever that is, it is a good time to think of the liberty that we have as Christians. The freedom that Jesus talked about in today's verse is not the same as independence. No, He meant freedom from sin and from its penalty. This freedom comes from knowing and obeying the truth that Jesus came to demonstrate on the Cross of Calvary. It is the real truth that God created us to be His own and sent His Son to save us. That is the truth that sets us free. Even in countries where believers in Jesus do not have political or civil or religious freedoms, they have been set free by knowing and putting their faith in this truth.

July 3

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”  2 Corinthians 3:17 (NIV)
We remember how the early colonists demanded freedom – the liberty to govern themselves. There is a liberty, too, for us who believe in God, and this verse reminds us how we get it. What God does for us is that He delivers us from the guilt of sin as we trust in what He did for us on the cross. The Holy Spirit can also set us free from worry as we trust in the love and concern of a Heavenly Father who is able to take care of all our needs. He wants to set us free from doubt and uncertainty regarding the future. Think of any other problem that disturbs you, The Holy Spirit can set you free from it. Isn’t that true freedom? 

June 23

“But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.”  James 1:25 (NIV)

Obedience is a very important part of the Christian life. Just hearing God’s word is not enough. We must put it into practice. It is easy for us to forget what we have heard from God’s word. We get so involved in the daily activities and forget what God has told us. We need to remember that there is nothing more important than the spiritual truths that come to us in one way or another. This verse promises a special blessing if we obey God’s voice. He is watching each of us longing to see us living obedient lives.

May 3

“But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.”  James 1:25 (NIV)

There are many reminders in the Bible to the effect that when we read God’s words we are expected to put them into practice. In this verse there is a blessing promised to the one who pays attention to what God says. It is a blessing for the one who does not forget that he or she hears or reads but who does it, who puts it into practice in daily living. So whenever or wherever we hear God’s Word let’s remember that God expects us to appropriate what we hear, making it a part of our lives.