Freedom from Oppression

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

Many in America enjoy freedom from oppression and freedom from government tyranny, but do not enjoy true freedom. There are people in China, Cuba and even Sudan who enjoy greater freedom than some people in America. The only thing the American Declaration of Independence did was affirm in writing the rights of the citizenry in America to self-govern and to establish independence from England. This gave every citizen in American the right to enjoy the freedom of this new nation called America. The Declaration did not set the people free. Each citizen had to choose true freedom. Though they were free from the tyranny of England, they were not free from the bondage of sin. Freedom from the bondage of sin does not come from a governmental or an earthly institution, but from a relationship with Jesus Christ. Are you truly free? Are you free from sin? Are you free from the powers of the forces of darkness? You can live in a free society and be more bound than someone who lives in a nation governed by a dictator or an oppressive government. True freedom can only be found in Christ.

Though England was a tyrant, she is no match for Lucifer. No dictator, oppressor or pharaoh who has reigned is a greater tyrant than Lucifer. Hitler was evil, but Lucifer is the father of evil. It is better to live in an oppressed regime and have freedom in Christ than to live in a free society without the knowledge of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Those who are bound by Lucifer’s oppressive regime are bound by their lusts, desires and affections. They are doomed for eternal destruction. They are not free, no matter what form of government they are under.

Are you thoroughly free? Are you enjoying the true freedom that can only be found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? This freedom surpasses the freedom that is granted by any document or government. This freedom is temporal and eternal. It is the freedom to become what you were created to be, which is to conform to the image and likeness of Jesus Christ. It is the freedom to worship the one true God. It is the freedom to choose life over death, blessings over cursing. It is the freedom to express your conviction and your beliefs through everything you do: the way you treat your mate, the way you raise your children, the way you exercise your civic duty and the way you run your business or do your job.

The wonderful thing about this freedom found in Christ is that it is eternal. You no longer have to worry about someone else taking it away from you. No government, person, angel or demon can take it from you. You are truly free at last.

My prayer for you today is that you would be reminded of the freedom you have in Christ, found only in His precious death and resurrection.