Set Free
Because the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God. (Rom. 8:21)
Rom. 8:1-6; Isa. 61:1; John 8:32-36; 2 Cor. 3:17; Gal. 5:1 and 13
What Is God Saying?
Romans chapter eight addresses one of the Bible's most stirring concepts. Chapter seven of Romans is about I, me, and mine. Life for my glory leads to my defeat. Life for my freedom leads only to bondage. Count the number of ‘I’s in chapter seven. It's the great ‘I’ chapter, and the result is, ‘Miserable person that I am, who will deliver me?’ In chapter eight, there is a sudden and welcome change. Now, the pronouns are ‘you’ or ‘we’. The ‘I’s virtually disappear. The principal person is the Holy Spirit, who helps, intercedes, gives life, leads, and sets us free. Not only do the pronouns change, but there is also a radical and total change in the message. Fear and guilt melt into the shadows, and the shadows are all behind us. Now the message is freedom, no condemnation, no separation, no bondage, just liberty in and through Christ, and that liberty is glorious.
How Does This Apply To Us?
All we need to do is accept God's gift of freedom. It is not a salary given for a job done, nor is it a prize won after a gruelling race. It is a blessing shared. It is a gift that is ours forever. Paul quotes from Psalm 68:18, ‘When he ascended on high, he made captivity itself a captive; he gave gifts to his people.’ (Eph. 4:8).
Pray With Me
O God, in your Word it is promised, ‘If the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.’ Thank you for that freedom. In a world that talks so much about freedom and pays so much for freedom, here is your gift of absolute freedom. Truly, we are free because He has made us truly free.
• His love has broken the shackles of our fears.
• His truth has banished the darkness of our doubts.
• His resurrection has released us from bondage to death and sin.
Give me such a clear and constant understanding of your gift that I will never lapse into fear. Give me such true appreciation that I shall not give in to the empty promises. The suggestion that freedom is unsuppressed indulgence is fatal counsel. Rather, as Christ’s willing captives, we are filled with light and hope.
In the name of Him who ‘made captivity itself a captive and gave gifts to his people,’ even Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Moving On In The Life of Prayer
In prayer, we are thankful for the freedom from sin, from the fears that are engendered by doubt, and from failures that are brought on by wrong choices. The liberty Christ has given us refreshes and guards us when, in prayer, we affirm that we have an all-loving and all-powerful God.
