Freedom (def) - the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved. The Apostle Paul went about telling everyone about the wonderful freedom offered by Jesus and people responded by giving their lives to Christ. When a person comes to Christ it is like a veil is lifted from their life and true freedom is felt and realized. We are no longer imprisoned by the chains of our sin. We are free. Paul wrote about this freedom when he wrote to the church at Corinth and in 2 Corinthians 3:12-18 Paul explains what this freedom looks like. The scripture is as follows: 12 Therefore having such a hope, we use great boldness in our speech,13 and are not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel would not look intently at the end of what was fading away.14 But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ.15 But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart;16 but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is FREEDOM! You may not be realizing much of that freedom in your life right now, but it doesn't change the FACT that the freedom is there for the taking! So what is keeping a veil over your life right now? Is there doubt in your life? When talking to other believers I am amazed how many people half believe in the whole truth. What I mean is when asked about a scripture they will say "well, that is supposed to be true!" Folks, that is half believing and does not have an ounce of faith attached to it. If we are "people of the Word" and we believe the scripture where it says "The Word of God is active and alive and cuts like a two-edged sword" then we better believe wholeheartedly!!
In verse 12 of the scripture above Paul says "12 Therefore having such a hope, we use great boldness in our speech," and that boldness comes from a firm faith in Jesus, the Word of God. So our freedom comes from the hope that only Jesus can give and that freedom also binds us to our Savior with an unbreakable bond. This freedom also frees us from the veil that would cover our minds as we step into a new way of living per the grace provided by Jesus. Verse 15 refers to how the Law held us in bondage, but Jesus gives true freedom. Verse 15 But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart;16 but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
The Veil is gone and we can now approach God in a totally different way. The writer of Hebrews says it this way in Hebrews 4:16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. If you are bound up and not realizing this freedom it is time to get in the Word and read what Jesus has done to make a way for this freedom and how close He wants to be to us. The power of the cross is best seen in the changed lives that no longer have a veil separating them from God. But are lives that live in the wonderful grace of God through Jesus. We have this confidence and John writes about it in 1 John 5:14 This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.
The Veil is lifted and true freedom is realized. Don't live in bondage any more.
The Pilgrimage Continues....
David Warren
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