TRUE FREEDOM

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In Christ, Mark

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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

2 Corinthians 3:17

This ends today’s reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

Freedom.

It’s a subject covered a lot lately in current events, especially here in America. If you don’t believe that, you aren’t paying attention to the news. Here’s three major ways we are talking about the matter of freedom right now:

1. Freedom of choice.

Ever since the leaking of a Supreme Court decision regarding abortion and the viability of federal regulation, there has been a firestorm unleashed which recently led to a bold assassination plot against a sitting Supreme Court justice. Radical activism and political posturing are in full swing in regard to this freedom-grounded issue which can simply be boiled down to a question:

Should a person who can make a choice have the liberty to take life away from a developing child who lacks the ability to have a say in the matter?

The very value and sanctity of human life is at stake.

2. Freedom to bear arms.

There have been way too many gun-related killings. One is too many and I don’t think any rational person could argue against that.

Conversely, our nation’s Constitution has withheld an individual’s right to bear arms since its inception more than 234 years ago. Many people feel very strongly about the freedom that the Constitution grants.

Thus, we find a schism developing in our nation. On one side are those who want to do away with gun ownership altogether. On the other are those who see this as an absolute infringement on their liberty and constitutional right, an impingement on their freedom to have weapons.

Where will things end up?

It’s hard to tell but I think it’s time for both sides of this issue to come together, listen and hear each other out, respect differences in views, and ultimately develop a good plan that will improve safety for citizens while preserving the freedom intended by our founders.

3. Freedom of speech.

Social media has been a blessing and a curse. I have always held to this.

Originally, it was really a way for people to keep in touch and share life. You know, the “social” part of social media.

Unfortunately, things changed and we ended up with social medical becoming a virtual battleground of differing political opinions. People began to use it as a way to verbally attack other people and there’s nothing very “social” or appropriate about that.

We also found people using social media to spread misinformation to others, whether as a smear tactic against another person or to push a political agenda. Anyone who didn’t think on their own merit (and unfortunately this is a large segment of our population) was a ripe candidate to be influenced and swayed by false information being presented as legitimate.

And then we have the matter of censorship where social media platforms went from being neutral and unbiased to muting users who held conservative viewpoints and wished to be heard. Inequity in the way information was allowed to be share became the norm and this is still a hot button item today.

Freedom of choice, freedom to bear arms, and freedom of speech.

All are major freedom-centered affairs that are dominating the United States of America right now.

But why am I, a dedicated Christian writer, spending so much time talking about these worldly freedom concerns?

Because I want you to see where Satan has taken us. Our enemy has deviously used these debatable subjects to take our attention away from the only freedom we should be centered on, the freedom at the heart of today’s very special verse found toward the end of 2 Corinthians, chapter 3. Look again at these words here:

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a big Christian music fan and have been so for 30 years now. A favorite song of mine has been “Where the Spirit of the Lord Is”, performed by Chris Tomlin and Christy Nockels. The words of the chorus go like this:

We know where the Spirit of the Lord is
The Spirit of the Lord is
There is liberty
We know living in your freedom
Living in your freedom, see your glory
We know where the Spirit of the Lord is
The Spirit of the Lord is
There is liberty
We're yours, yours is the kingdom
We're yours, yours is the kingdom

True liberty, real liberty that we have now and will have forever, a liberty that no one can take from us, is found in the Spirit of the Lord and that Spirit comes to anyone who places their belief in Jesus as Savior. We know this because God’s word tells us.

“...if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.” Romans 8:9b

If a person lacks the Spirit because they don’t belong to Christ (which means they have chosen to reject Him) then we know a person who believes in Jesus belongs to Him. He is their Savior and His Holy Spirit is upon them, the Spirit of the Lord that brings true freedom.

Freedom from death.

Freedom from the grave.

Freedom from sin.

Freedom from any and all other afflictions the world brings our way.

Jesus said it this way:

“...if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36

Friends, it’s time to make our Christian voices heard on this matter of freedom. In every and all discussions on the worldly freedoms being debated every minute of every day, let us speak boldly about the only true freedom, the freedom that only comes from the Son of God, Jesus Christ, the Son who sets us free indeed, now and forever more.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Feel free to leave a comment and please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
Send any prayer requests to Gods4all@aol.com