Inside Freedom

The world's concept about freedom it is about personal independence, "my life, my rules", about the ability to make one's decision and chose one's own path whatever we want to do or whenever we want to do it.These are mostly the concept of freedom in the world we are in now.

And the irony of this has great possibilities that this concept of freedom can actually lead to slavery, like when you go to the extent and then you got slave with debts, or when you extent your body with alcohols and unhealthy food and you become sickly or worst very ill or dying. This are just sample but this is actually a TRAP on the concept of freedom as defined by the world. The freedom to do what I want to do.No other rules aside mine because this is my life. Just like on facebook on saying "This is my wall, my day, none of your business but mine only".

The WORLD's concept of freedom
Is not the same as
The WORD's concept of freedom

The WORD her we are referring to our Lord, Our God. the maker of all. Our Saviour. Our Emmanuel.

As mention in the Gospel of John "The word became flesh, and dwelt amongst us."

The world's concept of freedom we call this "OUTSIDE FREEDOM" as I have read on a website it says "This is personal independence"

Now, this is so different from the message of Jesus about Freedom and we as believers,Christian or Non-Christian, Catholic or Non-Catholic, who received and believed that Jesus is Our Lord and Saviur , we can all agree on this, that the definition of freedom is different from what we learn from the teachings of the Bible.

Luke 4:18 said "The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free." Amen.

So we, I, believe on this, we embrace this promise from the Lord that He came to proclaim FREEDOM.

John 8:36 also said "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

We are free. Freedom of the slavery of sin.

Now. This is the confusion that the WORLD is giving about the definition of freedom.

JESUS was not setting us free to do whatever we wanted. HE was freeing us to do what we ought to do. HE freed us to walk in a relationship in Him and to be the kind of people He created us to be.

This spiritual freedom is what we call "INSIDE FREEDOM". It is the ability to obey God and chose His will for our lives.And this is the freedom that was distorted by sin, distorted the definition of the word freedom by the world in general.

The opposite of freedom is slavery, the slavery in the modern times or our time today is not about being chained physically like in the history or old times. Or you were behind bars. The slavery that we are talking here could be caused by the world's influence and specially the effects of sins.

John 8:34 says "Jesus said to them,"I am telling you the truth:everyone who sins is a slave of sin.""

For the slavery of debt: Jesus gives us wisdom and contentment.

When you are inedbted, you feel nervous or you will be rattled on how to pay it if you are on your due date already. But God gives us wisdom on how and what to do. He will not give you money in an instant because that's what tyou currently need at the moment, instead He gives you wisdom to find ways on how to deal your situation.And contentment to be contented on what is given to us.

Psalm 32:8 "The Lord says, "I will teach you the way you should go; I will instruct you and advise you.""

For the slavery of vices: Jesus give us deliverance.

There are many forms of vices actually, and in many forms. Being alcoholic, party-goer, smoker, etc. Me personally being guilty because I have so many vices that I am still controlling until now.

Exodus 6:6 "I am the Lord, I will rescue you and set you free from your slavery to the Egyptians. I will raise My mighty arm to bring terrible punishment upon them, I will save you."

The power of God is much powerful that what are binding us now, on what's binding you in the world against the word.

For the slavery of worry and anxiety: Jesus gives us peace.

Everyone of us could be in a state where we are a slave right now or one of us could be suffering from anxiety. We are burdened by many problems that we go on with so many sleepless nights thinking of ways to answer all the problems. Jesus gives us peace.

In a Letter of St. Paul to the Philippians in Chapter 4:6 he says "Do not be ancious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)

What a beautiful assurance anf guidance it is. Do not worry, ask God for guidance and be thankful always. Our God is always ready to listen to our rants/problems/worries. All we have to do is to seek for His presence. Worry and anxiety can never give us freedom, it can only trap us.

For the slavery of jealousy and envy: Jesus gives us healing and deliverance.

Envy is defined as discontented longing for someone elses advantages. Jealousy means unpleasant, suspicions, apprehension of rivalship. These two things are relatively the same. In our situation right now where we are mostly associated in the online world, there's a big possibility that we could be trap with these slavery of envy and jeaousy. The secret is to turn to God because our Lord gives us healing.

Proverbs 14:30 says "Peace of mind makes the body healthy, but jealousy is like a cancer."

For the slavery of pride: Jesus gives us the grace to be humble and to forgive.

Pride can do no good to us, instead it could bind us. Good thing God gives us the grace to be humble,and grace to forgive..

Psalm 25:9 says "He leads the humble in the right way and teaches them His will."

The key is to be humble before the Lord. He will lead us. When you are tempted not to forgive or you were trap into the sence of being mighty. Just call unto God and ask for the grace to be humble and forgiving.

How do we experience "INSIDE FREEDOM"?

"Inside Freedom" is the true freedom we need-- that we can only receive through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Galatians 5:1 " For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."

We are FREE in CHRIST. You can tell that to yourself "I am FREE because JESUS sets me free."

"Inside Freedom" is possible. Let us rely on Jesus Christ. Let us stay connected to Him-- every moment, at all times.

One beautiful picture that I imagine about PEACE is this. This is the kind of a reminder for me and I think for all of us, to look at God's view of Freedom that's different in the world.

In a world which has a totally different view of freedom, freedom that only leads to a trap or slavery. The freefom inside (peace, contentment, trust in the Almighty God and loving Savior) is the only freedom that makes us truly FREE.

And "Inside Freedom" is a person in Jesus Christ. We can experience "Inside Freedom" because of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen.

P.S: you can skip this if you are not into Religious type of articles. I just want to share this as I am inspired by my Facilitator in the community when she talks about Freedom as we had just commemorated the Independence day last Saturday.

God Bless!

Fin!