Living Free is the goal but, freedom doesn’t come without a price.

Have you heard the phrase, “freedom isn’t free! Thank a veteran”? It is true. We should be grateful to those who gave of themselves so we can live free no doubt. The liberties we enjoy cost someone else pain and suffering; maybe even their life. So often we take this freedom for granted. Then we are reminded of that person who gave up his or her life for our ability to live in a country where we are blessed with so much. We live in a world that is wonderful, full of expectancy and joy. Just the fact that He has given each one of us breath today we are blessed.

Even still,  life can be hard. It can come with scars and tears. We can be bound to sin, and be bound by the pain of the poor choices of our own making or the actions of others.  This leads to self-condemnation and shame which can leave us crippled. When we find ourselves in the presence of someone who has found her freedom it can have two effects. One is guilt and another is hope. I am here to extend a pathway to hope.

What does it take to start living free?

 

First, I’d like to state with emphasis; Freedom comes only through the blood of Jesus Christ!  The first step toward a life of freedom is found only in a relationship with Jesus. Christ came, as the Word states, to seek and save the lost giving us freedom from the pain of our own poor choices or the hurt afflicted on our hearts by others, He is our only pathway to freedom.

Secondly, we must forgive. We must forgive ourselves and those who have hurt us. This isn’t easy but it is a requirement on the journey to freedom. Forgiveness is more than accepting an apology from someone. It does not even mean instant reconciliation. We can’t move forward without it. We don’t even have the right to without forgiveness. To forgive is to pardon, to release the judgment and condemnation due to someone or for something that has caused us harm. Because He has forgiven us, we are commanded to forgive.

Freedom comes from leaving the past behind.

We are so good and rehashing the past, bashing ourselves or others and we feel justified, and we may be But, we are called to move forward. Pain keeps us stuck in the past and it is ok only if we can learn from the past. He can use everything for our good but, we are not to live in the past. We will miss out on living a full life if we get stuck focusing on the past. It is written in Isaiah that,

“Remember not the former things,
nor consider the things of old.
Behold, I am doing a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert. — Is 43:18-19

So often we focus on the pain rather than Jesus. We need to look up rather than look back. He is our ever-present help in the time of trouble. If He can create the universe by speaking it into existence, He is more than able to make a way in our wilderness.

Thirdly, live solely for an audience of One. We judge ourselves by what others post on social media or we see on tv.  This can be rather disconcerting, to say the least! The only comparison we should be making is by the Word of God. It is only His opinion of us that truly matters and the Word says we are loved with an everlasting love. God so loved the world that He gave us His only Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16.  You are loved. Period. It’s ok to move forward and live free!