Freedom is the cry of today’s world. The Middle East is on fire, from Tunisia to Bahrain, as nations attempt to break loose the shackles of tyranny. They hope that their freedom will lead them into democracy, and from democracy into prosperity. They differ as much as the salty seas and tribalism in their culture.
However, so strong is the cry for freedom that millions prefer to die fighting for it rather than be subject to continued autocracies and dictatorships. This search for freedom is global; it has always been and always will be. Civil disobedience marches, demonstrations, and underground movements are all indications that everyone wants to be free. Youth seek freedom from parental and governmental control.
In spite of this desire for freedom, there is a sense in which our world is an immense prison. Have you noticed how even in the “Free World” millions are not free? Even though the bars and walls of their prisons are not made of steel or stone, they remain prisoners, nonetheless. They are prisoners of their own evil desires. We are often shocked to hear and read stories of family members brutally slaying each other due to desertion, jealousy, money, and secret lovers. Such people are never free, even if never caught. They forge their own chains day by day, build their own gulag brick by brick, and put together their personal prisoner of war camp thought by thought until they become slaves to their own evil desires, controlled by their own sinful nature, like Jacob Miles shackled in chains of lust and greed that they are powerless to break.
Man is a slave to Fear. The fear of illness, the fear of the loss of employment, fear of the future, the fear of death. These fears keep men from being free. It drives them to drink, do drugs, fight, and the like. Yet man’s desire for freedom rings from the depths of every soul, from every rooftop.
Man’s efforts to free himself can be futile. Like a man caught in quicksand, the more he struggles to free himself, the deeper he sinks into his anguish. In desperation, he calls out for help. “Who can conquer this evil nature of mine that drives me toward evil? Who can snap these chains that bind me so tightly?” He cries out for someone to set him free and lift the tremendous weight of guilt from his soul. His cry for a liberator, a Savior, someone to set him free from sin and guilt, from himself is as old as mankind himself.
But this is the glorious truth of the Gospel. You can find freedom in Christ. Strangely, many individuals who fight for freedom, participating in marches and demonstrations, are unaware that Jesus Christ is the greatest proponent of freedom in history. In one of the first sermons he preached, he said, “God has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captive, to set free the oppressed.” On another occasion, he said, “If the son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” Jesus knew that to be truly free, one must be spiritually free. To be truly free, one must be free from the power of sin, free from the weight of guilt, free from the fears within, and free from the fears of tomorrow. Real freedom is peace of mind, peace of soul.
Christ alone offers this spiritual freedom. To be free of these fears is to be truly free.
Take note of these next few truths, for they are truly liberating.
First, you must know that you cannot free yourself. You need someone stronger than you, to do that.
Secondly, you must know that the only one, who can give you this freedom, is the living Son of God, Jesus Christ. He alone can conquer the power of sin in your life.
Thirdly, you must ask Christ to help you. Talk to Him directly, tell Him how much you need His help, confess your sins to Him, and ask Him to take them away, and believe that he will!
The Bible says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” He whom the Son sets free is free indeed.
This freedom from sin is not something you have to wait a lifetime for. It is yours’ for the asking. Jesus Christ is willing to make the freedom that He gives from sin, a reality to you, right now. Invite Christ into your heart, where you are, at this very moment, ask Him to take away your sins, and set you free, so that you can experience spiritual freedom from sin forever and ever.
“You shall know the Truth” the Bible says, “and the truth shall set you free.”
Freedom from sin is the greatest of all Freedoms!
Be Blessed:
Dr. Robert Bryant