“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” Gal. 5:1
Lord Jesus, first of all, what a verse and thank you. Wow… you have freed us for a life of freedom. What does that mean? On this July 4th weekend, it’s a joy to affirm—irrespective of our nationality, our most glorious “passport” is our “in-Christ-ness.” And, hallelujah, it never needs to be renewed. One Day the “picture” in it will show us having a most striking resemblance to you (Rom. 8:29).
Even now, our most liberating, peace-giving, heart-claiming citizenship comes from being citizens of heaven, and inheritors of the new heaven and new earth (Phil 3:20). Help us live with the appropriate joy and submission..
But there’s so much more. Right now, by your doing and declaration, we are truly free (John 8:36). How free are we? We’re free from all condemnation (Rom. 8:1), and doubts about what our Father think about us. For you are our “righteousness, holiness, and redemption” (1 Cor. 1:30). That’s right, you don’t just give us these things; you are these things to us.
Sweet, sweet freedom… our fear of death is wilting (Heb. 2:15), the weight of guilt is lifted, and the power of shame is broken (1 Jn. 3:1-3). We don’t have to pose and pretend our way through life anymore.
Indeed, Jesus, you have freed us from the tyranny, slavery, and dumpster-destination of self-preoccupation and self-gratification. Now, we can actually live a life of serving one another in love (Gal. 5:15). Thank you, and help us use this freedom more and more. So Very Amen.
