The way we live our lives portrays the mindset by which we live. One can choose to live by a slave mindset or be ruled by a freedom mindset..
Freedom: The power/right for one to act, speak, think as one chooses without hindrance or restraint..
Galatians 5:1: It’s is for freedom that Christ has set you free
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
John 8:36: He who the son sets free is free indeed.
Why has Christ set you free?
So that you may be free. Why? Because before him, before Christ you were a slave.
Ephesians 2:1-5
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to (Before you were freed)live when you followed the ways of this world (you are still in bondage) and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient(still in bondage). 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh(still in bondage)[a] and following its desires and thoughts(still in bondage). Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive (those who are free) with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
According to this scripture there is a before and after
Before freedom – During slavery: When you are a slave, you have no choice. Your master’s choice automatically becomes your choice. During slavery you had no choice.
You were dead in transgressions, followed the ways of the world, you were disobedient, gratified the cravings of the flesh, followed the desires of the flesh, and followed the thoughts of the flesh.
After Freedom: You became alive – Free
Some of the benefits include
You have a choice – you can choose. You became alive in God, follow the way of God, you can obey, gratify the cravings of the spirit, follow the desires of the spirit and you follow the thoughts of the spirit.
Look at your life right now: Are you truly free?
Most of us Christians claim to be free, but we live like slaves.
You are still dead in your transgression & sin, you have a choice but you still follow the ways of the world, are still disobedient, gratify the cravings, hunger pangs of the flesh, follow the desires of the flesh & follow the thoughts of the flesh.
Why are you not free?
You have not understood your freedom. That’s why Galatians 5:1 reminds you It’s for freedom that Christ has set you free. i.e. Christ has set you free so that you can be free.
How do you exercise your freedom?
Stand firm:
Stand firm in being alive in God, stand firm in following the way of God, stand firm in obedience, stand firm in gratifying the desires of the spirit, stand firm in following the desires of the spirit, stand firm in following the thoughts of the spirit
Do not submit again – Refuse to submit again – Resist any enticement to submit again.
Submit yourselves to God. You have a choice in who or what you allow to have power over you. That’s another definition of freedom: In other words: God frees you so that you can have a choice in who or what you allow to have power of you.
Mathew 11:28-30
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Jesus speaks of a yoke as well. The one you must resist to submit to is one of slavery. But you can free yourself to one that is easy and light
Now that you are free:
When you are prison: You are limited and confined to space and a time.
When the prison gates open and they say you are free to go, a whole world of possibilities opens up to you.
But because you had been in prison all your life, it’s easier to fall back into your prison habits. More than 65% return to prison. According to a 2012, California dept of corrections & rehabilitation report, Why? Is not because they are not free, it’s because that’s what they know.
The reason God has given you the word is so that you have a road mark on how to live your newfound freedom. He wants you to live outside your prison bars. If you don’t use your road map to find your way in your freedom, you will end up in prison again. Not because you are a failure or a bad person, it’s just because that’s what you know.
Managing freedom:
John 8:32 You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free.
Freedom is rooted in Knowledge and truth: The more truth you know the more freedom you can experience.
John 17:17. Your word is truth
The more word you know, the more truth you know, the more truth you know the more freedom you experience.
Psalm 119:45: I will walk about in freedom for I have sought out your precepts.
You can only manage and maintain your freedom by having knowledge of the truth which is the word of God. Use the word to maintain and keep your freedom that has been freely purchased by Christ’s sacrifice. Choose to live by a freedom mindset..
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