Stop fighting for your freedom
Meredith Higgins
Everyone loves a hero, and rightfully so. We're thankful for the soldiers who fight for our freedom, the civil rights leaders who were jailed in order to bring equality, and the many activists who protect the rights of the vulnerable today.
We are a country that values freedom, and celebrates those who fight for it. Yet every day millions of Americans are still walking through life enslaved because we're still enslaved to sin.
Jesus is the only hero who can truly set us free. In Luke 4:16-21, Jesus set out His mission to free us once and for all: “[God] has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
People didn’t have to hope for freedom anymore. Freedom was readily available if they were willing to receive it.
Jesus met a woman who had been discriminated against because of her sex and race and shamed because of her promiscuous lifestyle (John 4:1-26). He offered her freedom from stereotypes, shame, and discouragement.
Jesus wasn’t put off by a blind man’s physical disability (John 9:1-11). He offered the man true freedom by restoring his sight.
No matter what has a hold on your life, Jesus wants to set you free.
Jesus brought freedom to all kinds of people. He didn’t just notice the captivity of women, men, children and the disabled -- He healed them. He gave women roles in ministry and pulled His disciples from a group of middle school dropouts. He fought for everyone, bringing an offer of salvation by grace through faith to all who would listen.
In John 10:10, Jesus declares, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” No matter what has a hold on your life — whether it’s a job, a relationship or an unhealthy attitude toward money — Jesus wants to set you free. He fought to the death for our freedom. But too often, we live like we’re still captives.
3 Ways You Can Start Living in Freedom Today
1. Stop fighting to remove sin on your own.
Romans 8:1-2 says, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.”
It is impossible for you to free yourself from the things you’ve done wrong. That’s why Jesus took on our sin and died to free us. No matter what's in your past, you can experience freedom but only with His help.
2. Stop fighting to free yourself from fear.
Psalm 34:4 reminds us that when we seek the Lord, He answers us. We will never face a fear that God cannot defeat. The best way to free ourselves from fear is to take that first step and trust God to deliver us.
3. Stop fighting to be someone you’re not.
Too often we allow others’ opinions to weigh us down instead of enjoying the abundant life Jesus died for us to have. We don’t have to live in the fear of what others think (Psalm 118:6). Instead, we can be confident in our salvation, passionate about following Jesus and liberated from our culture’s expectations.