We will be celebrating the United States’ independence from British rule in the late 1700s. Though this happened ages ago, its relevance today is so important.
When a person, entity, or government becomes free from bondage to anything the goal should be to remain free permanently. As a US citizen, I want my country to remain free and under its current leadership and rule. I might not agree with everything, but I enjoy the freedom and liberties of my country.
There is another kind of freedom I want to talk about in this message. It is spiritual freedom.
Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover or pretext for evil, but [use it and live] as bond-servants of God. (1 Peter 2:16).
Anything ungodly, wicked, or evil that is in control of us is our master and we become its slave. In First Peter he illustrates that we are to lay down being controlled by evil. We should be governed by God’s rule through the holy spirit.
The snares of the enemy are many. As believers in Christ we should not remain entangled up in the snares and traps of the enemy because that is bondage. Jesus has already redeemed us from the enemy and given us the tools to be spiritually free.
Is it immaturity that has you entangled into all kinds of ungodly vices or practices? I raise this question because some are saved or profess to be saved yet the evidence of our salvation is questionable. It can make some wonder about the light down on the inside. Why is it so dim?
Many hardships and perplexing circumstances confront the righteous,
But the Lord rescues him from them all. (Psalm 34:19).
In Psalms David expresses that there are many troubling situations that the righteous face. Though this is true rhe Lord rescues us from all of them. This means that we might have been in a state of trouble or disarray, but God has intervened.
God’s redemption through Christ’s resurrection is everlasting. Each believer is constantly being redeemed. It didn’t stay on the cross. Spiritual freedom is something we constantly have access to.
He has helped us to overcome these situations. This shows us that God knew we will face hardships, but we can call on Him. We can seek Him for guidance and in His timing He will relieve of us the issues we are facing. God does not want us to be overtaken by anything. God commands us to face challenges knowing God has given us the victory.
Be on guard; stand firm in your faith [in God, respecting His precepts and keeping your doctrine sound]. Act like [mature] men and be courageous; be strong (1 Corinthians 16:13).
Staying grounded and spiritually free is work. Once deliverance is granted by God the enemy is going to seek to enslave you to something else. It is up to us to be vigilant to fight off the spiritual snares of the enemy. We have to walk in our whole armor (Ephesians 6:11). Also, as the Paul is writing here, we are to be on guard and standing firm in our faith. We are to walk in our maturity and be courageous in everything that comes against us.
We are all going to face unfortunate circumstances. This is something no one can escape no matter how seasoned of a believer you are. As you mature in your walk with Christ you will be able to use the experiences from past troubles to overcome new ones. It does not make it easy, but your experience gives you tools to overcome, walk in victory, and be spiritually free.
No one knows when life will throw everything at them. One thing is for sure God will deliver us. He wants us to be free. We need to be spiritually free so we can maturely bring others to Christ. It is hard to do that when you are struggling day to day with the issues you face.
Independence Day is liberating to America. The everlasting freedom is being free from the chains of this world. God’s Son gave us spiritual freedom when He rose from the grave with all power. He showed us that nothing was holding Him back. This teaches us that we shouldn’t let the troubles of this world hold us back.
Working to be spiritually free is a journey. You will arrive to the destination of spiritual freedom in God’s timing. It took many sacrifices and loses for America to reach its independence from British rule. Our ancestors and patriots of former generations fought and died for the United States’ freedom. In the same regard Jesus died for liberation from sin and death so we can live spiritually free.
Happy Independence Day!
Resilient Inspired Spiritual Excellence R.I.S.E. 