R U Free?

Are You Really Free?

“You shall know the Truth and the Truth shall make you free…” (John 8:32)
“If the Son has set you free then you are free indeed…” (John 8:36)

I have been listening to “In Your Freedom” (written by Marty Sampson, Hillsong) in preparation for THIRST and next Sunday’s worship. “In Your Freedom” expresses our worship as a soul searcher, discovering God. Funny thing about music, if you listen to it with an open heart (if you are receptive) it will cause you to meditate… That happened to me this morning.

A couple of odd thoughts found their way to the surface as I was listening to the lyrics of the song; I will just provide a short list below:

Am I free? Really free? Free from all bondages (sins, negative influences in my life)?
Do I have the courage to be really free? It takes courage and strength to be free and remain free, you know… it won’t just happen. Selah (pause and meditate here…)
I have been miraculously set free from some horrendous bondages in the past. Jesus has done some truly wonderful things in my long life. Have I remained free, or, have I let complacency lull me back into some (other) chains?

These and other sundry thoughts rose to the surface as I listened to the song this morning. My mind is sometimes a very busy (often not peaceful) place…but perhaps that’s a subject for another time.

As I listened to “In Your Freedom,” it struck me that the proclamation of the song is quite bold. “I love You, Lord…in Your freedom I will live…” These statements indicate an active choice, spoken with passion. These are not words which can be spoken lightly.

Though Christ came to make us free and give us life abundantly, these gifts require action on our part. We must be diligent (vigilant) both to receive and maintain (even protect) these gifts. We have to actively choose to be free and remain free. What things can diminish or negate our freedom? Sin, in its various forms such as (1) failure to remain in the Word, (2) neglecting church attendance and fellowship with other believers, (3) or poor habits like allowing the wrong relationships or indebtedness to complicate our lives; all these open the door to loss of freedom and chains. Just to make the above thoughts a little more unsettling, I have a fourth thought to add here:

· We have a very subtle and determined enemy who constantly strives to replace the chains from which Christ has set us free; “the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but I have come to bring life more abundantly…” (John 10:10)

Though we are meant to live in freedom and victory, we nonetheless often find ourselves living in a war-zone. Freedom can be a two-edged sword. We can choose the bad things listed above or we can choose to closely follow Christ.

Now, don’t let my thoughts bring you down. “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.” (1 John 4:4) You have the power to remain free. There is nothing the enemy can do to you if you “remain in God and His words remain in you…” (John 15) The problem, the conflict, and the resolution all reside in the same passages of God’s Word… We have to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. We have to continually follow the voice of our Shepherd.

Our defense is sure and totally effective. His name is Jesus. His agent is the Holy Spirit, Who lives in us. But we must be wise enough to take advantage of and cling to promises He has given us. We have His Word. We have the blood of Jesus which has cleansed us from all unrighteousness. We have each other (the fellowship of the saints). We have our worship (a vastly powerful weapon), which is devastating to our enemy.

Let me encourage you to remember the chains from which He set us free. Let me encourage you to passionately continue to seek after the things of God and remain close to Him. Remember to cherish and protect the fellowship and friendships in Christ which He has given you in your new life.

When you sing “In Your freedom I will live…” take it personally. It is your proclamation of freedom. Selah.

Lyrics for In Your Freedom

Verse1 --
I search for You God of strength
I bow to You in my brokenness
And no other King could have so humbly come
To save my soul and heal my heart

Pre Chorus -
I have nothing more than all You offer me
There is nothing else that’s of worth to me

Chorus --
And I love You Lord
You rescued me
You are all that I want
You’re all that I need

Verse2 --
I pray to You God of peace
I rest in You my cares released

Bridge --
In Your freedom I will live
In Your freedom I will live
I offer devotion,
I offer devotion


Web-sources:
http://sembah.blogspot.com/2007/07/song-in-your-freedom-hillsong-saviour.html.
http://www.biblegateway.com/