Freedom in Christ

It is always during this time of the year that the word freedom shows up frequently. I think that after last year’s lockdown, it means more to me this year than ever before.

This is the definition of freedom: “the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.” We as Americans will be celebrating freedom this weekend. It is so important to our culture and heritage.

But did you know that freedom is not an American idea, but rather a biblical idea. Did you know that Jesus said, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed”?

He also said in Luke 4:18 that he had come to Earth “to proclaim freedom.”

What does Jesus mean by this? From what do we need to be set free ? The answer to this question is sin.

The Bible says in the book of Romans that “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God,” and that “the wages for sin is death.” This death means eternal separation from God. How can we be set free from this terrible punishment?

The answer is Jesus!

I’d like to share with you a really cool tool that we used this year at our church’s VBS.

The symbols on this bracelet helped me to explain to the little girls in my group the story of Jesus and how he had come to set them free.

First arrow: This shows that Jesus left heaven and came to earth as a man.

Jesus said, For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 6:38)

Cross: Despite living a sinless life, Jesus died the death of a common criminal on the cross. This is where he died for our sins.

I Peter 2:24-25 “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Tomb: He was buried in the tomb of a rich man named Joseph.

Matthew 27:57-60 “Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him.  When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed.”

Second arrow: It turned out that at the tomb He was just buried for a bit, because on the 3rd day, Jesus rose again, forever defeating death. A few weeks later, Jesus ascended into heaven where he is seated at the right hand of God.

Matthew 28:5-6 “The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.”

Luke 24:50: Jesus leads the eleven remaining disciples to Bethany, a village on the Mount of Olives, and instructs them to remain in Jerusalem until the coming of the Holy Spirit: “And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he parted from them, and was carried up into heaven.

Third arrow: Jesus is coming back to Earth someday to take his followers with him to heaven.

John 14:3 Jesus said, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”

When we place our faith in Jesus as savior and Lord of our life, when we ask him to forgive our sins, he will welcome us into his family, and we are given the privilege of becoming children of God. We find freedom from our sin. We find the freedom to do what we ought to do, to obey the will of God for our lives.

Have you found freedom in Christ? Have you trusted him to be your Lord and savior? Today could be the day that you truly become free!

Romans 10:9 “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

You can read more about Jesus’ free gift of salvation here.