Weekly Lesson 51

LIVING WITH FREEDOM

Freedom. What is freedom? Is freedom being able to come and go as you please, do or do not do as you wish, say anything you want?

If we go back to the beginning, God created Adam and Eve, gave them rule over all of creation. They could go where they wanted, do what they wanted. They could build a treehouse, play games, pet the animals, name the animals, and they could even sit down and picnic on any of the meats, fruits, and vegetables from their vast Garden. But you know what happened. God told them not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. But they did anyway. So, sin and death entered into humans. But what we need to see is that they had the freedom to choose. Freedom, in its most basic form, is choice. Every morning Adam and Eve woke up, they had the freedom to choose to obey or disobey God.

You see, freedom is not from this world. Freedom as this world knows it is self – centered, self – exalting, self – righteous, and self – destructive. There is no such thing as absolute freedom this side of Heaven. You will serve one master, not two, but one. Jesus said you could not serve two masters at once. So, what freedom do we have?

The freedom to choose.
Go back to the Garden. God said, “Do not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. ” For in the day that thou eat thereof, thou shalt surely die.”

You see, Man has this unique little thing God put in every human being when He created us. Man has a will, making him, in every sense, a free person and a responsible being. And that is why we’re not absolutely free. You see, we have become accountable. We are responsible for every deed, every word, and thought.

Right now, right here, at this time, in this place, on this day, you have two choices. To obey God or disobey God, to live or to die, to live a life of sin, or to live a life in Christ. One is bondage, and one is freedom. One leads to death, destruction, and eternal bondage. One leads to peace and boundless freedom. But absolute freedom will not come to us until we get to Heaven.

We are free to do right and free to wrong. The choice is ours. We can break the law and get in trouble, or we can obey the law and live free. Do you see that our freedom is tied to our obedience? Just because we are free, does not mean that we are not to obey God and His Word or man and his laws.

Jesus said whoever sins is a servant to sin. That is rough and to the point. Whoever sins, that means all of us! No one can continue to sin and not be a servant to sin; when you are a servant to something or someone, you have given yourself to that something or someone. It is not a sin to be tempted. It becomes a sin when you give in or submit yourself to that temptation. Therefore, you become its servant. No man can sin and not have to pay the penalty for sin. Remember we are responsible, we are accountable. That means it can become a part of your future. God says, “Be sure your sins will find you out.”

That is not saying you cannot be forgiven. There is forgiveness, and forgiveness is a part of freedom.

What is the secret to freedom? If you know Jesus as your Savior, the secret to freedom is an old rugged cross. Jesus went there for you. Then Jesus said, “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).

Of what freedom is he talking? Forgiveness and freedom from sin and death (hell).

Freedom gives us the courage to act with Holy boldness. Freedom is shaking your fist in the face of Satan. “Get behind me, Satan. For you do not want the things that are of God.” Our freedom should shine like a diamond. “Choose you this day whom you will serve. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

We receive true freedom when we accept Jesus as our Savior! Jesus Said, “So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36). Do you notice that he said, “FREE INDEED”? The word used in the Greek is, ontĂłs, which means TRUE or actual.

Are you ready to have TRUE freedom?

 
Go to Romans Road to Salvation and/or Prayer of Rededication

Christ Centered Champions

Christ Centered Champions

We are more than champions through him who loved us. Romans 8:37