What does the bible say about being free, being free with Christ, Independence Day Freedom

1 Min with Wanda

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                                        What Does The Bible Say
                                                    About Being Free?
                                                      By: Wanda L. Ball

According to the encyclopedia, Independence Day is the national day of the United
States. July 4th, 1776 declared independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain.
During the American Revolution, the legal separation of the American colonies from
Great Britain occurred on July 2, 1776, when the Second Continental Congress
voted to approve a resolution of independence that had been proposed in June by
Richard Henry Lee of Virginia. Congress debated and revised the Declaration,
finally approving it on July 4. Independence Day is commonly associated with
fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, picnics, concerts, baseball games, political
speeches and ceremonies, and various other public and private events celebrating
the history, government, and traditions of the United States.

As Americans today, we believe we are truly free. We are free to choose how we
live, what we say and how we believe. Some of us choose to live as husband and
wife and others choose to live in same sex relationships. Others choose not to
marry at all and live life alone. Some practice freedom of speech, through radio
and TV broadcasts, books and pulpits. And others choose to keep their opinions to
themselves. Some choose to worship the moon and stars, idols and Satan. And
others choose to worship and follow God. Today we all have the right to vote for
our leaders and exercise our political freedoms. Our parents taught us to do as we
please, live the way we want (within the law) and be whoever we want to be. The
sky is the limit! Right? But even though we have all of these earthly freedoms and
have been declared independent, are we really free? Are we truly happy? What
does the bible say about being free?

In the book of Exodus, God chose Moses to lead the Israel people out of Egypt as
slaves of Pharaoh. They had been slaves for hundreds of years and wanted to be
set free. God heard them and decided to answer their prayers. Exodus 6:6-7
says, "Therefore, say to the Israelites: "I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from
under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will
redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I will take
you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord
your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians." This scripture
resembles the similarities that the people from the American Colonies must have
felt when they were held in bondage by Great Britain. They too were freed by God,
when they were allowed to legally separate from them in order to practice their
religious freedoms. We can also refer to this scripture when African Americans
were freed as slaves. They were also held in bondage for over two hundred years
by a race of people who wanted to feel superior over them as well. This scripture
represents being physically enslaved and freed, but what about our spiritual
freedom?

When God created us, he gave us freedom of choice. We can choose to believe in
him or not. To sin or not. There is no gray area. To live in sin is to be a slave to
sin. When we continue to make bad choices or do evil against others, we choose
sin. But when we live for God, we become free from sin and our spirit is renewed.
Romans 7:5-6 says, "For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful
passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death.
But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that
we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code." We
can also be free of fear. God didn't give us the spirit of fear, because we are to
trust him with all of our problems, concerns and worries. If we put our faith and full
trust in him, without doubt, then he will provide a way out of them. Romans
8:14-15 says, ..."because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For
you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the
Spirit of sonship."

We as people were also created to be free. Those who belong to Jesus Christ,
should have released themselves from their sinful passions and desires. If we
truly live by the Spirit, we should do what the Spirit requires of us. The fruit of the
Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness
and self-control. If we allow the Spirit to control us, we will experience true
spiritual freedom. For Galatians 5:13 says, "You, my brothers, were called to be free.
But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in
love." Treating others the way we want to be treated is a great way of showing
others love and respect. And believing in God is the only way we can truly be free
in this world. Not believing is a form of spiritual slavery and God is the only one
who can release the chains. For Galatians 5:1 says, "It is for freedom that Christ
has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a
yoke of slavery."

If we choose not to believe in God, we will remain in confusion, sadness and
darkness. This world is a Satanic world. Satan's job is to keep us enslaved, by not
knowing the truth and the eternal life, we can receive through Jesus Christ. But if
we only believe and become tired of living un-fulfilling lives, God will truly set us
free. We can have a joyful life even in these trying times. "For he has rescued us
from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of the Son he loves, in
whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:13-14) Freedom is
only received through Jesus Christ. Inviting him into your life, will give you the true
independence you are looking for today.

Do you know God?   Free yourself today...