~*~'Cuz Freedom Don't Come Free~*~

John 8:36

 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

I was watching fireworks this evening and in aw of their sound, color, shine and glory.  As patriotic music played, I pondered on how blessed I am to enjoy such a wonderful July evening at Paquette Park with my family and friends.  How blessed I was to see such a beautiful fireworks display for free.... how relaxing! 

The fireworks with their bold colors and might made me feel so small--- how great is our God who deserves all the Glory and praise!!!!

As patriotic music played and the fireworks boomed I felt such a freedom.  I was reminded what the 4th of July is about---independence--- FREEDOM... and Glory.  I thanked the Lord that I am blessed to live in a country where I can be free-- truly free to express my views, be a Christian--- and that Freedom that we are so blessed with here in the United States came at a price.  Lives of our ancestors and those before us were shred--- we are able to be free because of their sacrifices.  I thanked the Lord for all those men and women who today and in the past have sacrificed anything for me today-- be it time, knowledge, freedom, money, rights, or even blood.  Freedom and the quality of life that I enjoy today came at a price.--- just as did the price for my life- my soul...

Christ made the ultimate sacrifice on the Cross for my sins.  I can truly be FREE from the bondage of sin and evil because of His selfless death on.  His blood, sweat and tears can set us free.  Truly free FOREVER.  How often do we take Freedom from sin and death for granted??

Have you experienced or considered true freedom through Jesus Christ?  It's possible to be truly free-- fully forgiven and completely set apart from the bondage, pain and anguish of sin.

Romans 6:16-18

"Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? ¹⁷ But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. ¹⁸ You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness."

How blessed are we to have a Savior who loves us enough to set us free?  To lead us out of slavery... To take God's wrath upon us and SAVE US.  FREE US.  KNOW US. LOVE US. AND DIE FOR US????!?!

Beth Moore states in her book, Breaking Free, "Christ cares more about our freedom from the bondage of sin than we do."  WOW!

Isaiah 61
The Year of the LORD’s Favor


1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,


because the LORD has anointed me


to proclaim good news to the poor.


He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,


to proclaim freedom for the captives


and release from darkness for the prisoners,[a]


2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor

  God wants us to be completely free more than we want to be.  and here's the thing:

yes Jesus Christ was the most humble, kind and compassionate man (yet fully God) to ever walk this earth, BUT He is not a meek and passive God.  He is strong and fierce--- a warrior that endured the pain and suffering on the Cross-- with nails drilled into His wrists-- He is a mighty soldier that have fought to His death for YOUR soul.  He gave it all so that you may have life.  He is a zealous and powerful God.  He will fight endlessly for you.  He has already conquered Satan-- He has won the battle... won the war and He will not give up on you and your soul.  As a Christian, the battle against sin is constant.  Satan does all he can to ruin us- our lives- destroy us-- deceive us-- keep us CAPTIVE to sin and suffering.  But Christ has overcome and has all the POWER to overcome.  We cannot do it on our own.  Nothing we could ever do would free us- it's only by letting Christ fight for us that we can be truly free.  It is our job then to fight constantly with the power of the Holy Spirit against Satan and his lies.  

The Armor of God

 ¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:10-17)

We must not give up as the apostle Paul-- taking a stand against sin, bondage and evil daily (1 Timothy 6:12)*.  Filling our hearts with the joy and promises of the Gospel and sharing the Good News with others.  Christ has Risen.  Christ has Conquered.  Christ is Mighty to Save. and Christ will Come Back.  until then-- keep fighting the fight.

*"Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the  eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses"*