| What is Freedom? |
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| Written by Dr. John E. Russell Sr |
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Some believe that they are free when they are really under bondage. Some have said that there is no real freedom—that freedom is an illusion. What is the truth? It is apparent that many choices have been made for us. We cannot choose our biological parents, our gender, or the country in which we were born. And, we have been conditioned by our parents, our culture and by our own unique experiences. However, there are certain decisions that we can make. What is freedom? Freedom is the gift of God. Freedom comes from 1 Discovering the will of God; 1. How do we discover the will of God? There are at least three ways to discover the will of God. 1.1 Through knowing and studying the Lord Jesus Christ, Who is the Living Word: After God spoke long ago in various portions and in various ways to our ancestors through the prophets, in these last days he has spoken to us in a son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he created the world. The Son is the radiance of his glory and the representation of his essence, and he sustains all things by his powerful word, and so when he had accomplished cleansing for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. Isaiah prophesied about Jesus, who would set us free: The Spirit of the Lord God [is] upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to [them that are] bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. 1.2 Through studying the written Word of God: Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, [then] are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 1.3 Through the direct leading of the Holy Spirit. When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to live in us in a special way: For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Holy Spirit will communicate the will of God to us. 2. How do we come to love the will of God? (If we knew the will of God, but did not want to do it, doing it would be bondage to us.) 2.1 God gives us a desire to do his will, it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. 2.2 The will of God is the way of love, . . .for God is love." God's will is to help people: Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. 2.3 God's will is the only right thing to do: For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth [cometh] knowledge and understanding. Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. 2.4 God's Word is precious: Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counselors. Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously. I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid [before me]. And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts. {at liberty: Heb. at large} I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed. And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved. My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes. O how I love thy law! it is my meditation all the day. Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold. Therefore I esteem all [thy] precepts [concerning] all [things to be] right; [and] I hate every false way. PE. Thy testimonies [are] wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them. Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments. My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly. 2.5 God's Word brings life: My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they [are] life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh {health: Heb. medicine}. 2.6 God's Word brings freedom: And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 3. How can we do the will of God? First, we must be delivered from the power of sin and sinful bondage. 3.1 God sets us free: But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. 3.2 God gives us the power to do his will. Then we experience the greatest measure of self-actualization as we fulfill God's plan for our lives. When we come to the end of our lives, all of us want to look back and see that we have made a positive difference in our world. God empowers us from inside: But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. In summary, freedom is knowing the right thing to do (God's will); wanting to do it (loving God's will); and doing it (with God's help)! How does one become free? Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and Jesus has promised to make you free. And, If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. Essay 19 from my eBook, Essays Exposing the Myths of Political Correctness. Download this book free at http://BusterSoft.com/JRCM/ Copyright © John E. Russell 1993, 2004, 2015, 2018 In Essentials: Unity; In non-essentials: Liberty; In all things: Charity You have permission to copy, email or print unedited Power Articles.
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| Last Updated on Thursday, 08 November 2018 22:09 |