Freedom and Hope

     As we lay our burdens at the cross, giving everything to the One with the answers, we can feel a sense of freedom. We will find freedom from the fear that binds us, freedom from the addictions that hold us in prison, freedom from the sin that holds us captive, freedom from fear of death, freedom from the wounds of our past, freedom to forgive.  The world around us no longer holds us earth-bound. Our residence is heaven-bound. 

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. Galatians 6:1

     That yoke of Christ we spoke of earlier in the week is a yoke of freedom. Jesus eases our burdens and lessens our loads. The yoke of slavery to the world is what holds us captive.  We are slaves to it without Jesus. Satan likes nothing better than to keep us from our God-given purpose in Christ. He seeks to hold us down, captive to the world. The devil’s schemes fall into three areas of temptation.

For everything in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-comes not from the Father, but from the world. 1 John2:16

     What a gift we have in Christ! He offers us hope in every situation, a way out of every temptation, a new life transformed and made new.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone. The new is here. 2 Corinthians 5:17

     Made new! Free and saved forever! Christ has the answers to our burdens now and to eternal life, the way to move us through into new life, and hope.

Jesus,

Thank You for the gift of freedom from the world. You have already set us in the heavenly places, our true home. Use us through our temporary lives and keep us standing firm in the freedom You offer.

Amen