Devotional for 7/5/15
This weekend our nation celebrates our declaration of freedom from British rule. With that freedom came a lot of hard work, blood, sweat and tears. It was not an easy task to break free and stand on our own.
There are many different types of freedom. Some people are set free from slavery. That freedom can be seen as both good and bad. To a slave who is treated well, it might appear to be a frightening thing to be free because their needs are no longer going to be provided for by their master. But with that freedom can come many new opportunities to be in a better place in the future. Even though it may be a struggle, it can be worth it. Other people have been imprisoned, and when they are set free there can be similar feelings, especially if they served a very long sentence. Sometimes freedom from what is familiar to something that is new and unknown is so frightening that people choose to remain where they are instead of being set free. This can be seen in things like being attracted to abusive partners, or being involved in compulsive behaviors, or relapsing in addictions. Sometimes the freedom is from something like depression. Those who have never suffered in that way may wonder why those who are depressed can't just pull themselves out of it. Being set free isn't always that easy.
All of us have experienced being set free in another way that is so easy, we have to do nothing to gain that freedom. Because Jesus paid the price for our sins on the cross, we have been set free from the punishment we deserved. By that we become slaves to a new master, to Jesus and his righteousness. In this new relationship with God we obey his teaching not to earn our freedom and salvation, but in thanks to him for already giving it to us as a free gift! And that is true freedom - to know that we are saved by grace through faith and are his forgiven disciples. We are set free!
Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:31-32 (NIV)
Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ, for your free gift of forgiveness of my sins. Help me to follow your teachings in thanks for that freedom, and forgive me when I fall back into slavery to sin. May that be a powerful witness to others of your grace and mercy, that they too may be set free. In your name, Amen.
written by Jan Andersen
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