(April 25, 2010)

To walk in freedom takes courage. Those who walk in bondage think they're free and those who think they're free are in bondage. Christ wants you to know that you are free.

With freedom comes great responsibility. If the Son sets you free, you are free indeed. What is freedom and what is it not?

What freedom isn't: freedom from trials and tribulations. See, Christ makes us free through these things, but not freedom from these things. Suffering is a trial, a test to promote us. Trials are meant to promote us. Can you still trust Him when your healing doesn't come on your timetable. All things work together for those who work and love in Christ. Can you trust His timing?

What freedom isn't: freedom from spiritual discipline. When we stay in alignment with God, we require less discipline.

What freedom isn't: freedom from temptation. There is always a way of escape from temptation, but the flesh is still there, tempting us until we die. It's not sin unless you give into it.

What freedom is: freedom from the curse of the law. The law cannot save us, it can only condemn us. It's valuable, however, because it shows us what our limitations are. The law is given that we might know that we missed the mark. The problem with Christians is that they walk around condemned. They are not! Raise up your heads!

What freedom is: freedom from the power of sin. When Jesus died on the cross, it saved us from sin. When Jesus was crucified, he was crucified on the site where the skull of Adam was buried. When the earthquake came, the blood of Jesus flowed over the skull of Adam. We're free from the guilt of sin. We're free from the shame of sin. Sin shall not have dominion over you

What freedom is: freedom from the power of darkness. We are under a new government, the Kingdom of God.

What freedom is: freedom from the fear of man. When Christ frees us from the fear of man, we are free from the expectations of others and frees us from the "performance trap". The sense of belonging

What freedom is: freedom from the sting of death. Christ died for us and saved us from death, but gave us eternal life. We no longer to have to live in fear of death.

How do we live then? Living as children of the King means to walk victorious and to live and behave in a way that is just like that of the King. We are slaves, but slaves to Christ. We are free slaves. We need to meet together as worshipers at church.

- Jon Bruney