Ask any random person to quote one line from the movie Braveheart, they would most likely yell “Freeeeeeeedommmmm!!!!!!!!!!” or they may whip out some blue face paint and inspire you with “They’ll never take our freedom!” As awesome as that movie is and how it bathes you in goose bumps, this is how our Christian walk should be. We have freedom in Christ. He sets us free! He frees us from the penalty of sin—death (John 3:16) and frees us from our everyday worries and burdens (Matthew 11:28).
But it’s amazing at how many Christians (including myself) often forget or never realize this truth. We get bogged down by sin, doubt, worry, fear and despair and we buy into Satan’s lies that that is how it’s supposed to be and there is no way out! When we do that, we spiritually chain ourselves to our sin, guilt and shame and swallow the key. We then struggle through the rest of our day or week as the weight of those chains get heavier and heavier with each step.
This is not what God has intended. God wants a relationship with us—a real, forgiving, confident relationship that is based on love, grace, mercy and hope. But don’t take my word for it, sometimes I’m more chained up than anyone. Check out Romans 5 (man, I love Romans!)
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:1-8 (NIV), emphasis mine.
Christian, if you’re chained up by your pride or guilt or sin, let the love and forgiveness of God unlock those chains and free you from Satan’s lies and shout a cry of “Freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeedoooooommmmmmmm!!!!!” Because that’s what you are! Free!
If you’re trapped and imprisoned by sin and shame, and you’ve never experienced the love of Jesus and asked for forgiveness from God, take a moment right now and ask God for help. Not only will He forgive you; He’ll free you—forever and ever.
-NW
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