LET FREEDOM RING!
Let it ring in your heart and in your mind every single day! People of every creed, culture, background, and race have a deep, basic desire for freedom. There are different days and times set aside for celebrations of the freedom of particular groups of people all around the globe.
Here in the United States for example, July 4th is set aside to celebrate the freedom of ALL who are Americans. The Declaration of Independence says it best…
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
The Founding Fathers of the United States realized and acknowledged the fact that true freedom comes only from our Creator. Freedom originated with God so we need to go to Him in order to see just exactly how to walk in the reality of freedom in every area of life to be free indeed.
Turn to John chapter 8, verses 31-38 KJV, “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. They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.”
Later, Jesus clarifies that “their father” that he is referring to is the devil. That is very important because it clearly defines what Jesus is talking about. His Father – God vs. their father – satan. The Kingdom of Light, Life and Freedom vs. the kingdom of darkness, death and bondage.
This is important because you will notice in the previous verses Jesus acknowledged that they were indeed the seed of Abraham but were still living a life of bondage – being a servant to sin, to the kingdom of darkness.
Did you know you can be a born again, Spirit-filled, tongue talking believer and still be in bondage? You definitely can, and we see it all around us every day!
Jesus is so cool though! He gave them the answer before they ever even discussed the problem! Look back at verses 31 and 32, “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.”
If you continue (abide, live, remain) in my WORD, you will know the truth and the truth shall “make you free!” Do you have your shoutin’ shirt on?! The Greek word translated “make you free” literally means TO LIBERATE! Glory to God!
Now let’s go on over to John chapter 17 where Jesus is praying for us, and we will see where He elaborates on this even further.
“I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.” – John 17:14-19 KJV
In light of this freedom that Jesus talked about in John 8, I want to point out several things here in John 17.
One huge point is that we see, once again, the acknowledgement of two separate kingdoms – the “world” and the Kingdom of God of which Jesus and the church are NOT a part. HOWEVER, we see in verse 15 an essential piece of information! We see that Jesus and the Father intend for us to stay in this world at this time (to fulfill the great commission in Mark 16) and yet live completely FREE right in the middle of it all!
His plan is to keep (Gr: guard as with a fortress) us from the evil that is all around us in the world!
How is He going to do it? Verse 17 says He will sanctify or separate us from it. How?
BY HIS WORD, WHICH IS TRUTH, AND IT WILL MAKE US FREE FROM THE EVIL!!
Come on now! It’s time to shout somebody! God’s Word IS truth, and it was written by the Spirit of Truth – the Spirit of Life and Liberty Himself!
In closing this letter this month, go with me to Romans 8. “THEREFORE, [there is] now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit. [John 3:18.] For the law of the Spirit of life [which is] in Christ Jesus [the law of our new being] has freed me from the law of sin and of death.” – Romans 8:1-2 AMPC
This is the exact passage of OUR “Declaration of Independence from the world” that John G. Lake cited when doctors asked him why the bubonic plague had no effect on him. Even though he refused protection equipment while tending to thousands of sick and dying people, he remained completely healthy and strong. The WORD! The Truth separated him from the law of sin and death. It LIBERATED him from the evil all around him in this world!
And I’ll tell you something else, if you continue in the Word . . .
It will keep you from ANY sickness or disease or virus!
It will keep you from violence and harm!
It will keep you from the effects of racism!
It will keep you from financial disaster!
It will KEEP YOU FROM EVIL!
Glory to God, LIVE IN THE WORD!
Wherever the Lord directs you to sow your tithe and offering this month, remember 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 AMPC, “[Remember] this: he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to someone] will also reap generously and with blessings. Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, “prompt to do it”) giver [whose heart is in his giving]. [Prov. 22:9.] And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].”
Did you see that last part? Look at it again, “ALWAYS and under ALL CIRCUMSTANCES and WHATEVER the need be SELF-SUFFICIENT [possessing enough to require NO AID OR SUPPORT . . .]” complete independence from the world!
Cite your “Declaration of Independence” and walk in your financial FREEDOM today!