If you’re an American, 4th of July is a great
day of celebration. This day is remembered for severing ties with Great Britain
after they imposed unreasonable conditions upon their citizens. God made man
free therefore it is a basic human right.
While it is great to be free as a nation, what is more
important is that we’re free as individuals. We may no longer succumb to the
tyranny of an unjust government; many today are trapped in bondage much more sinister
than political control.
Abraham
Lincoln said, “Always bear in mind that
your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other.” What he
was saying is that if we become free as an individual, we can be free as a
nation.
Today,
let’s look at five areas of life where God wants us to be free.
1. Freedom from wrong mindsets. Too many
people are trapped into wrong thinking. A wrong mindset is anything contrary to
the Bible. Self-limiting thoughts like: I’m
nothing special, I’m not attractive, I’m not smart, I’m not gifted, I will
never own my own house, I’ll never get married, I’ll never retire are
contrary to God’s promises. Our wrong way of thinking is keeping us from
experiencing God’s best as an individual, and collectively as a nation. When we
disagree with God, we’re dwarfing our potential. A wrong mindset is more
dangerous than a venomous snake because it makes us believe we’re doing the
right thing while it leads us to destruction. Our freedom has to do with our
mindset. What we believe is what we will become.
2. Freedom from want. A great deal of
our lives is spent on gathering for ourselves. While we need to assume
responsibility for our own provision, we shouldn’t stretch ourselves too thin.
When we live beyond our means, we’re digging a hole for ourselves. We should
not be greedy. On the other hand, God wants us to have a mentality of
abundance. We limit ourselves by thinking that if God has to provide, it has to
be through a job, business, stocks, and bonds. While this is a good place to
start, why not believe in God for the supernatural? John Quincy Adams said, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and
become more, you are a leader.” God created the diamond and gold mines. Can we trust Him to meet our needs
over and beyond and have plenty left over to
help others? Instead of praying to pay off your own house, pray to pay off
someone else’s and see what God does! In God, government or job we trust?
3. Freedom from pain. There are
different kinds of pain. When we’re in pain, we think differently. Physical,
mental, and emotional pain cause us to live a constrained life. God wants to
heal our body, mind, spirit, and soul. One way we can be free from that is to
forgive those who have done us wrong. When you forgive others, you set a
prisoner free and that that prisoner is you. Often people asked Jesus if He
wanted to heal. Jesus replied, “I will.”
Jesus still wants to heal today! He will heal every place you hurt.
4. Freedom from bad habits. Habits come in
different shapes, sizes, and forms. Let’s not judge people because their sin is
different from ours. All of us have issues. We can all improve. Thomas Jefferson said, “Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.” Here are simple steps to overcome a bad habit.
Acknowledge > Make yourself accountable > Get help > Give it time.
5. Freedom from sin. God said all
have sinned and fallen short of His glory. We’re professional sinners but we
don’t have to live that way. John F Kennedy said, “Those who dare to fail miserably can achieve greatly.” You may feel that you’ve failed miserably but Christ paid
the ultimate price our freedom. You’re no longer a weak, worm of the dust. You’re
the righteousness of God. If you don’t like the way you’re born, today I urge
you to be born again. If
God can change the world inside of you, He can change the world through you.
Friend,
let freedom ring loudest in your heart and let us remember that righteousness exalts a nation. A nation
will prosper if we’re living right individually. Jesus didn’t come to change a
political order He came to change the heart of men, women and children. Everything
changes when the heart is powered by Jesus.
“So if the Son
sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36 NIV).
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