As we step into March, we also step into spring and all the life that comes with that (as long as East Tennessee cooperates). The winter season has a way of encouraging a more stagnant life because of weather, and a restriction on the things that can be done outside. More often than not when our physical and emotional life if impacted by the world around us it also impacts the nature of our soul and spirit. So the promise of new life in the world around us is also a reminder of the new life that we receive in the blood of Jesus. All of that being said, our focus this month will be on our “Freedom in Christ” and through Christ and because of Christ.
Freedom is a word that immediately sparks all kinds of emotions, and expectations. Our God new that that would be the case and so he gave us a very clear understanding of what “Freedom” in the kingdom looks like. So let’s look at the words of Jesus for a second.
31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?”34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave[b] to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.- John 8
In Essence “freedom” comes from THE WORD, because Jesus said you are free…… FROM THE POWER OFSIN.
16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. 17 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”20 And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” – Luke 4
We are “poor” no matter how rich we are…“captive” even in the land of freedom… “blind” to the thing that is right in front of us… and “oppressed” by the weight of it all and the nature of what surrounds us but the good news is that Jesus gave us the ability to not be any of those things. This month we choose to focus on the freedom In…and through… and with… and because of CHRIST and CHRIST ALONE.
Grace and Peace,
Dustin B. Cooper
