We are celebrating the independence of our nation in a few days, which led me to ponder freedom. We were all born into sin, and have therefore been slaves to sin. “Jesus replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:34-36)

If you believe by faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God who gave His life for you, you have been redeemed. According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of redeemed is “to free from captivity by payment of ransom”. His very life was given in exchange our eternal lives in Christ Jesus, which has freed us from our chains to our sinful nature. “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us.” (Eph 1:7-8)

When we were enslaved to our sinful nature, the father of lies (Satan) deceived us that we had our lot in life, and we couldn’t escape it. But truth is that which sets us free. Jesus said, “I am The Way and The Truth and The Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

Unlike a slave we are sons of God, adopted–chosen–into His family. “In love He predistined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.” (Eph. 1:4b-6)

So KNOW that your chains are broken, you have been redeemed (with the ransom fully paid by God’s grace and love), you are adopted into God’s family, and He wants to lavish His grace upon you. If you are a believer and think anything otherwise, then you are listening to the wrong source: “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

Thank Jesus for breaking your shackles to sin, because you are free indeed. To receive all that He has for you, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). Submitting ourselves to God’s will is always best because our Good Father wants the best for you, and knows what the future holds.

I want to share the beautiful words of the song, Freedom Reigns  by Jason Upton:

Where the spirit of the Lord is
There is freedom
Where the spirit of the Lord is
There is freedom
If you're tired and you are thirsty
There is freedom
Freedom reigns in this place
Showers of mercy and grace Falling on ev'ry face
There is freedom Jesus reigns in this place
We lift our eyes to Jesus
There is freedom
We lift our eyes to Jesus
There is freedom
Freedom reigns in this place
Showers of mercy and grace Falling on ev'ry face
Whatever you're burdened with tonight
Whatever you struggle with tonight
There is Freedom There is freedom
Nobody is looking at you tonight
The eyes of the Lord is moving to and fro throughout the Earth
Seeking an heart that's completely His
Jesus You reign in this place
Showers of mercy and grace Falling on ev'ry face
There is freedom
Freedom reigns in this place
Showers of mercy and grace Falling on ev'ry face
There is freedom